Aug 23, 2018 - Politics & Policy

Biden "incredibly proud" of former admiral who rebuked Trump

Mike Allen, author of AM

Photo: Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images for Concordia Americas Summit

Former Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday reached out to William McRaven — former commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, who oversaw the SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden — after McRaven dared President Trump to revoke his clearance, too.

The big picture: Since leaving office, the former vice president has maintained quiet contact with a range of former people he served with who have been dismayed by what they are seeing out there, according to someone close to Biden.

  • Biden's rough message to McRaven: "It is presumptuous of me to say, but I’m so incredibly proud of you. I saw up close your physical courage, including your incredible calm during planning for the Bin Laden raid. As RFK said: 'Moral courage is the rarer commodity than bravery in battle.'"
  • "I have never met anybody whose moral courage equaled their physical courage in your category. I’m proud to know you and be associated with you."

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Data: Compiled from state health departments by Axios; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

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In photos: America celebrates July 4 during global pandemic

Photo: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

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