Newly released documents reveal that former national security advisers John Bolton and Robert O’Brien required ongoing U.S. Secret Service protection long after leaving their positions due to potential threats from Iran. The cost of this security detail for nearly one year was $12,280,324, as disclosed in Department of Homeland Security reports to Congress. The protection involved dedicated special agents covering their homes, offices, and domestic and foreign travel, a level of security that is not typical for former officials.
The threats from Iran against former Trump administration officials, including Bolton and O’Brien, have become a growing concern. Iran has openly targeted these individuals in retaliation for the 2020 assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. The Iranian efforts targeting American officials have become more frequent and bold, with attempts both abroad and on U.S. soil orchestrated at the highest levels of the Iranian government. The protection costs for Bolton and O’Brien over a 10-month and year-long period respectively totaled $12,280,324, and these expenses do not reflect the overall cost of protecting American officials from Iranian threats.
The protection costs included payroll expenses for the U.S. Secret Service agents, as well as non-payroll related expenses such as foreign travel costs, vehicle rentals, and equipment rentals. The cost for protecting Bolton and O’Brien was substantial, and additional figures regarding the protection of other former White House officials were also disclosed in the reports. Law enforcement has provided protection to Iranian dissidents and journalists living in the U.S., following credible threats against them from Iran, highlighting the broader impact of these threats.
Following the threats from Iran, other countries like the U.K. have taken steps to counter foreign plots by setting up new units to target threats from countries like Iran, China, and Russia. The head of the British police unit targeting foreign plots revealed that they had foiled 15 Iranian kidnapping and assassination attempts. John Bolton, who was targeted by Iran for assassination, shared his story with “60 Minutes,” detailing the Revolutionary Guard’s attempts to procure his kidnapping or assassination. The Department of Justice announced criminal charges against an Iranian national for allegedly trying to orchestrate Bolton’s assassination, further underscoring the seriousness of these threats.
The ongoing threats from Iran against former U.S. officials have necessitated continued protection and vigilance to ensure their safety. The financial toll of protecting these officials from foreign governments’ transnational aggression is significant, as evidenced by the costs incurred for providing security to individuals like Bolton and O’Brien. The documents obtained by “60 Minutes” shed light on this topic that remains largely out of public view, emphasizing the importance of addressing and mitigating these threats to safeguard the safety and security of American decision-makers.
