August 17, 2018 01:51 PM UTC

Military Hero Calls Out Trump--Where Is Mike Coffman?

• 8 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

Vox reports on the angry response unfolding to the decision by President Donald Trump to strip former CIA Director John Brennan of his security clearance, anger that shows no signs of slowing:

The man who led the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011 has a message for President Donald Trump: Revoke my security clearance, too.

Retired Navy Admiral William H. McRaven, who led US Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014, wrote a short, but blistering op-ed for the Washington Post on Thursday afternoon, challenging the president on his decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan.

In the statement, he praised Brennan’s service to America, and his “unparalleled integrity.”

McRaven continued, writing, “I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.”

As we reported yesterday, Republicans in the U.S. Senate have generally knuckled under to the President over this action. Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado defended Trump by saying that Brennan’s criticism of the President was what was “disgraceful,” not Trump’s retaliation against Brennan. The blowback like you see above would seem to make Gardner’s dismissal a big mistake.

Gardner’s deference to Trump on this highly controversial matter could become even more toxic if, as is being reported today, the President is about to proceed with more revocations of security clearances of critics of his administration. Trump is reportedly considering stripping former assistance AG Bruce Ohr of his clearance, and Sean Hannity is hitting the airwaves making the case for Trump to do the same to former NSA Director James Clapper.

And if Gardner won’t speak up about what’s happening, will Rep. Mike Coffman? Coffman has sided with Brennan in some of the public opinion battles over Trump’s policies, but he has also made bizarre statements about “investigating the FBI” when asked about the Russia investigation and the case against Trump. We haven’t seen any public comment from Coffman about Trump going after security clearances, and given the number of fellow former military officers in particular weighing in it’s a question he should have already answered.

So…why hasn’t he?