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Before you begin a rant about what a jerk John Bolton is, know that I agree with you. He was obnoxious in his time with President Trump, and then wrote a book criticizing the president on top of it.
My issue is that Bolton’s Secret Service detail was revoked by President Trump, as well as for other high-level officers, shortly after Trump came into his second term, despite threats that were made against Bolton:
In 2022, Shahram Porsafi, a member of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was charged with a murder plot targeting Bolton. The Justice Department said in 2022 that the plot was ‘likely in retaliation for the January 2020 death of Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani.’ The FBI offered a $300,000 reward for information leading to Porsafi's capture. Last September (2024), the Biden administration announced a reward of up to $20 million for information on Porsafi.
Bolton took a plea deal that cost him $2.25 million for mishandling classified documents to avoid additional charges. The DOJ has threatened to seek a five-year prison term, which far exceeds others charged with these violations.
I am no fan of Bolton, and I have no doubt that he might have been extremely difficult to work with, but it’s worth noting that he did have an extensive record of federal service:
John R. Bolton is Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Before serving as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2005-2006), Mr. Bolton was Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security (2001-2005). Bolton also served in the administrations of President Ronald Reagan and President George H. W. Bush. His many accomplishments include the rescission of the UN's 1975 "Zionism is racism" resolution, U.S. renunciation of the International Criminal Court and the establishment of the Proliferation Security Initiative.
In addition to Trump experiencing several threats against his own life, the profile of John Bolton is high once again. I think Trump should reconsider somehow subsidizing Bolton's private protection.
Revenge is not always sweet.
Discussion (70)
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I'm pretty sure he has private security. The Iranians are a threat to all politicians and military folks. If I were on active duty, I wouldn’t be on social media.
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We'll have to disagree with each other. His paid a hefty price already:
Bolton must pay half of the fine within five days of his plea and the balance within 90 days. He agreed to forfeit his retirement pay for his federal service. The plea deal also requires him to submit to a debriefing with federal intelligence officials and perform up to 100 hours of community service.
Pure and simple revenge. It stinks.
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I can't find out how much he pays for private security, but I bet he could work a deal and have the govt. pay for lots less than the Secret Service.
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Can't agree, Susan. I expect a president to demand loyalty just as I expect a patriotic official to leak secrets to protect the republic. Bolton earned the rebuke separately from the matter he was convicted for. I won't kvetch if another president provides him security, presidents enjoy reversing previous presidents in such things, but it is not a priority. Given my druthers, he would serve hard time for his blatant abuse of classified material. As for private versus federal protection, the kind of threats we are discussing require active communication between any Bolton detail and federal security agencies with information relevant to Bolton's protection.
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I’m not sure what prompted this question for you, Susan. Maybe I missed another Bolton sighting?
When this first arose I was stunned at the number and breadth of people receiving personal security from the US taxpayer, for seemingly unlimited periods. (I was also stunned at the number and breadth of people who retained their highest security clearances without subsequent review or determination of need.) Bolton seems just one of the more notorious and public examples. I think he’s rather “Prince” Harry like in his view of his significance.
I suppose I could develop a specific set of criteria for allocating those resources. At a minimum the individual would not in any way be active in the public sphere. By that I mean paid consulting, paid publishing, teaching, public speaking either for hire or for “charity.” In other words - if they are capable of deploying their public service skills and reputation subsequent to working in government they are capable of determining their security risk and paying for it accordingly. If they provide advice and counsel to any agency of the US government subsequently they ought not to be doing their own entrepreneurial activities coincident.
I admit to taking a pretty cold view of taxpayer support after people leave office. There are a LOT of people touching significant stuff and then using said contact to their own benefit. They can’t all be so special that they need to be guarded for the rest of their lives. I see them benefiting handsomely from their time in agency and from the connections made. Bolton - like “Prince” Harry and others - retains a very high view of his place in the world. There are newer models available to bribe.
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