Former President Donald Trump has decided to pull the security detail for his ex-Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Pompeo had been under protection due to ongoing threats from Iran, stemming from his hardline stance against the country during Trump’s first term. Sources close to the matter confirmed the move to CNN.

This decision follows a similar action taken against John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, whose Secret Service protection was also recently cut. When questioned about the move, Trump told reporters, “You can’t have protection forever. There are risks to everything.”

Pompeo played a key role in shaping Trump’s Iran policy, including the controversial 2020 drone strike that killed top Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. The Justice Department later revealed that Iran sought revenge against Pompeo and Bolton, both known for their tough stance on Iran. An Iranian assassination plot targeting the two was reportedly foiled.

Former officials expressed concern over Trump’s decision. One ex-intelligence official warned, “Somebody is going to get killed. The Iranian threat against Pompeo and Bolton is real and serious.” Another suggested the move might be driven by “spite and pettiness,” adding that Trump should hope no harm comes to either individual.

Interestingly, Trump himself remains a target of Iran due to the Soleimani operation. Last summer, his team requested heightened security after learning Iran was still actively plotting against him. The Biden administration reportedly briefed Trump on the ongoing threats.

This latest move raises questions about the balance between personal security and political decisions, especially for former officials who remain at risk long after leaving office.