(DailyChive.com) – Multiple former Trump administration officials are facing persistent assassination threats from Iran. U.S. officials have warned that these threats, tied to the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, may not disappear as long as the current Islamic regime stays in power.
Soleimani was no ordinary military leader. As the commander of the IRGC-Quds Force, he was considered the second most powerful figure in Iran, only behind Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His death, authorized by then-President Donald Trump, was a significant blow to Iran’s military ambitions and has fueled the regime’s ongoing quest for revenge.
A recent report reveals that the plots against Trump officials are even broader than previously thought. Matt Olsen, a senior Justice Department official, described the situation as “extraordinarily serious,” underscoring Iran’s determination to retaliate. The threats extend to Donald Trump himself, who has been forced to alter his routines. For example, he hasn’t played golf in a month—unusual for someone known for his love of the sport. Security concerns have also pushed him to swap his private 757 jet for unmarked planes and change his travel patterns to avoid detection.
Several former officials connected to the Soleimani operation—like Mike Pompeo, Mark Milley, and Mark Esper—now live under round-the-clock protection. At least seven receive extensive security support, sometimes involving teams of up to six officers. However, others must cover their own security costs, creating frustration among those who feel abandoned by the Biden-Harris administration.
One particularly alarming incident occurred when former national security adviser Robert O’Brien was followed by suspicious individuals during a 2022 trip to Paris. The situation became so tense that Secret Service agents pulled O’Brien from a meeting and rushed him to safety. Unfortunately, O’Brien’s security detail was later canceled, forcing him to spend his own money on protection.
The Biden administration’s tepid response to these threats has raised concerns. Some worry that it sends the wrong signal to adversaries like China and Russia—that targeting U.S. officials can weaken American policy. As former national security official Matt Pottinger warns, the issue goes beyond Trump. “It could just as easily be the Biden guys,” he said.
The stakes couldn’t be clearer: if the U.S. fails to protect its leaders, it risks emboldening hostile regimes everywhere.
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