Ex-CIA Dir. Hayden: 'Sense of Embarrassment' in Clearance Flap

Former CIA Director Michael Hayden (Tom Williams/AP)

By    |   Friday, 17 August 2018 01:12 PM EDT ET

Former CIA Director Michael Hayden says retired Admiral William McRaven's rebuke of President Donald Trump had "an undertone of a powerful sense of embarrassment as to what was happening in the United States."

Hayden made his remarks in a Friday interview on CNN's "New Day."

McRaven, in an open letter to Trump published in The Washington Post, said he would consider it "an honor" for Trump to revoke his security clearance. And he came to the defense of former CIA Director John Brennan, who security clearance was pulled.

McRaven was the commander who oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

"There are few, if any, who have a more impressive record of service," Hayden said. "You could just see from the tone of the letter that he had had enough."

As a result of McRaven's remarks, others will likely step up to comment about the Trump's revocation of security clearances, Hayden said.

Meanwhile, along with revoking Brennan's security clearance, the White House announced it was reviewing access to classified information for several other former officials who have been critical of Trump, including Hayden.

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Politics
Retired Admiral William McRaven's rebuke of President Donald Trump had "an undertone of a powerful sense of embarrassment as to what was happening in the United States," according to former CIA Director Michael Hayden on Friday.
security clearance, revocation, michael hayden, cia
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2018-12-17
Friday, 17 August 2018 01:12 PM
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