---
title: "Retired Adm. William McRaven Quit Pentagon Board Days After Publishing Anti-Trump Op-Ed"
date: "2018-09-14"
modified: "2018-09-14"
authors:
  - name: "Paul Szoldra"
    job_title: "Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/paul-szoldra/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/military-life/mcraven-resigned-trump-op-ed/"
categories:
  - "Around the World"
  - "News"
  - "United States"
tags:
  - "donald trump"
  - "Leadership"
  - "Navy SEALs"
  - "Pentagon"
  - "the white house"
---

# Retired Adm. William McRaven Quit Pentagon Board Days After Publishing Anti-Trump Op-Ed

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/18990314-1.jpg>)

Retired Navy Adm. William McRaven resigned from the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Board four days after the publication of an op-ed he wrote criticizing President Donald Trump.

McRaven's Aug. 20 resignation [was first reported](<https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2018/09/13/mcraven-former-socom-head-resigns-from-pentagon-board-following-trump-criticism/>) by Defense News on Thursday.

On Aug. 16, The Washington Post [published](<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/revoke-my-security-clearance-too-mr-president/2018/08/16/8b149b02-a178-11e8-93e3-24d1703d2a7a_story.html?utm_term=.92bd59fd714b>) an op-ed written by McRaven with the headline '[Revoke my security clearance, too, Mr. President](<https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/revoke-my-security-clearance-too-mr-president/2018/08/16/8b149b02-a178-11e8-93e3-24d1703d2a7a_story.html?utm_term=.92bd59fd714b>)' lambasting Trump.

In it, the former leader of U.S. Special Operations Command wrote in defense of former CIA Director John Brennan, who had his security clearance revoked by the Trump administration the [previous day](<https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/15/us/politics/john-brennan-security-clearance.html>), that it would be "an honor if you would revoke my clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency."

"Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities," he added. "Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation."

Created in 2016 by former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, the DIB is comprised of various business, technology, and ex-military leaders, who offer recommendations and advice to senior Pentagon leaders "on innovative means to address future challenges," [according](<https://innovation.defense.gov/>) to its website.

McRaven's photo and biography were removed from the DIB website. Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Andrews confirmed McRaven's resignation in a written statement, saying, "The Department appreciates his service and contribution on the board."

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-placeholder-title-3226.jpg>)

## Author
Paul Szoldra was the Editor in Chief of Task & Purpose from October 2018 until August 2022. Since joining T&P, he has led a talented team of writers, editors, and creators who produce military journalism reaching millions of readers each month. He also founded and edits [Duffel Blog](<https://www.duffelblog.com/>), a popular satirical newsletter for the military. Before becoming a journalist in 2013, he served as a Marine infantryman in Afghanistan, Korea, and other areas of the Pacific. His eyes still go up every time a helicopter from Camp Pendleton flies over his office in Southern California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/paulszoldra>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulszoldra/>)  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/pszoldra>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/paulszoldra/>)