By ATTS Trump’s First Day Back in Office and its Impact
As President Trump commenced his second term, his first day in office was marked by several significant actions, offering insights into his political agenda and stance towards perceived adversaries.
Within the first 24 hours, the Trump administration revoked Secret Service protection from former National Security Advisor John Bolton, a vocal critic of the president. This decision, made in the past 24 hours, rescinded the protection granted to Bolton by the Biden administration in 2021 after threats from Iran linked to Trump’s drone strike that assassinated General Qasem Soleimani.
Bolton, in a statement, expressed disappointment but acknowledged the decision was not surprising. He highlighted that despite his criticisms of President Biden’s policies, Biden had extended Secret Service protection to him.
In 2022, Shahram Porsafi, a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was charged with plotting to assassinate Bolton, reinforcing the ongoing threat. Bolton noted that the arrest of an individual planning to harm Trump demonstrated the persistent danger.
Previously, both Bolton and former National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien received ongoing Secret Service protection due to potential threats, costing taxpayers over $12 million for nearly a year. This protection included 24-hour surveillance at their homes and during domestic and foreign travel.
The Secret Service declined to comment on the revocation of Bolton’s protection.
Beyond the Bolton incident, Mr. Trump took executive action to revoke the security clearances of Bolton and dozens of intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter expressing concerns about emails attributed to Hunter Biden. This move aligns with Trump’s previous efforts to target perceived political opponents.
Other actions taken on Trump’s first day included the removal of a portrait of former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley from the Pentagon. Milley had previously criticized Trump as “fascist” and a “wannabe dictator.”
These actions signal Trump’s intent to assert dominance and retaliate against perceived adversaries, setting the tone for his second term.