For almost a year, the Biden administration has declined to provide security for Robert O’Brien, former national security adviser in the Trump White House, despite behind-the-scenes pressure from lawmakers and ongoing threats against his life.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, has written two letters to Biden over the past year requesting that O’Brien’s Secret Service protective detail be reinstated. This detail was terminated without explanation on August 1, 2023. Turner also met with the Secret Service and national security adviser Jake Sullivan to address the issue, but to no avail.
Turner expressed concern in a January 30 letter, stating, “It is a dangerous precedent to set, to not extend a former National Security Advisor’s protective detail while there are active threats against his life, especially in a growing threat environment. Ambassador O’Brien both needs and deserves a protective detail for his service to this country.” The other letter was dated June 21, 2023.
The administration’s refusal to reinstate O’Brien’s security detail comes amidst increased scrutiny of the Secret Service and concerns about the protection of senior U.S. officials, following an assassination attempt on President Trump. This incident has intensified pressure on the Secret Service to ensure adequate protection for former officials facing international threats.
Jason Chaffetz, a former congressman and chairman of the House Oversight Committee, criticized the Secret Service's broad mandate, suggesting it causes “resource stress” and advocating for a narrower mission.
Spokespeople for the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, did not respond to requests for comment.
Threats against O’Brien began after the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. During his tenure as national security adviser, O’Brien was involved in the decision to carry out the strike, leading to threats from the Iranian government and affiliated groups such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. A January 2023 animated video posted on Telegram by Iranian groups depicted photos of Trump, O’Brien, and other officials involved in the strike.
Initially, the Biden administration directed law enforcement agencies to continue protecting O’Brien after Trump left office. While the Secret Service was responsible for O’Brien’s detail, other officials like former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley continue to receive protection from various security agencies.
Following the assassination attempt on Trump, O’Brien confirmed on conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt’s show that he no longer has a security detail, despite his requests. He mentioned receiving a 60-day termination notice from Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on June 2, 2023. O’Brien has since relied on state and local law enforcement and hired retired Secret Service agents for protection at his own expense. The FBI continues to provide briefings on the ongoing threats against him.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has also advocated for O’Brien’s security, discussing the issue with Sullivan and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Lee rejected the administration's explanation that the decision was based on various circumstances, including budgetary and resource limitations, emphasizing the serious and credible threats against O’Brien from the Iranian regime.
Lee noted that other officials involved in the Soleimani strike, such as Esper, Milley, Pompeo, former CIA Director Gina Haspel, former State Department official Brian Hook, and retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, still receive government-provided security details. Intelligence officials have identified O’Brien as a top target based on intelligence chatter, according to Chaffetz.
Other former officials, including Matthew Pottinger, former deputy national security adviser under Trump, have also expressed concerns about their safety due to similar threats from Iran. Pottinger sought protection measures from the Justice Department but did not receive a response.
