A hawkish foreign policy adviser during Trump’s first term faced assassination threats from Iran.

US President Donald Trump cancels visit to Mike Pompeo, Brian Hook and John Boltona hawkish foreign policy adviser during his first term.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that Trump had revoked protection for former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Pompeo.

Trump’s order, which took effect at 11pm ET on Wednesday (04:00 GMT on Thursday), removed the security details of Pompeo and former top aide Hook, according to people familiar with the matter.

It was previously reported that Trump did the same thing to his former national security adviser Bolton. Bolton confirmed the news to CNN on Tuesday, issuing a statement: “I’m disappointed but not surprised.”

Trump has since defended the decision, calling Bolton a “very stupid person.”

“We’re not going to cover people for the rest of their lives. Why would we do that?” Trump said.

But critics point out that Bolton, Pompeo and Hook have all faced assassination charges Threat from Iran.

All three leaders have taken a tough stance against Iran throughout their foreign policy careers. Some analysts have speculated whether Trump’s decision to revoke his security detail might be a form of retaliation for perceived disloyalty.

An official in former President Joe Biden’s administration who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed to The Associated Press that Trump’s team was well aware of the threats faced by the three men.

The person called Trump’s decision “extremely irresponsible.”

Bolton’s public criticism angers Trump expelled Served as National Security Advisor in 2019. He served under Republican presidents including George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.

Bolton harshly criticized Trump’s leadership in his memoir. “The overwhelming facts demonstrate that Trump is unfit to serve as president,” Bolton said.

Pompeo, meanwhile, has been less vocal in his criticism, but he briefly considered running for president in 2024 before lower polling numbers dashed his hopes. In 2024, he continues to campaign on behalf of Trump.

During Trump’s first term (2017-2021), Pompeo and Hook were the architects of the U.S. “maximum pressure” stance on Iran.

That period was marked by the United States backing off from the details of limiting Iran’s development of nuclear weapons in exchange for sparing Iran a devastating attack. US sanctions.

It’s unclear whether Trump will pursue a similar strategy in his second term.

But some experts speculate that members of Trump’s inner circle have become more critical of the interventionist and authoritarian stances promoted by figures like Bolton and Pompeo.

Trump has said Pompeo will have no role in his administration. He also announced on social media this week that Hook had been fired from his position at the Wilson Center, a presidentially appointed think tank.

Dozens of former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying the Hunter Biden laptop scandal had signs of a “Russian information operation” have also had their security clearances revoked in recent days.