Former National Security Advisor John Bolton made waves Wednesday as he appeared on several left-leaning cable news networks to decry former President Donald Trump’s latest cabinet nominations. Trump’s picks—Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence and Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General—drew Bolton’s ire, with the staunch critic labeling them the “worst” and “second worst” nominations in American history.
Bolton didn’t stop at harsh words. During an interview with NewsNation, he called for the FBI to launch investigations into both nominees before the Senate even considers their confirmations. His accusations focused particularly on Gabbard, whom he accused of promoting “Russian propaganda” and being a “serious threat to national security” due to her criticism of U.S. foreign policy, including opposition to massive aid packages for Ukraine.
Bolton’s remarks were met with backlash, with critics dismissing them as partisan hyperbole. Many pointed out the irony of Bolton’s stance, given his own controversial tenure and foreign policy missteps.
Bolton’s Sharp Criticism of Gaetz and Gabbard
On NBC’s Meet the Press, Bolton called Gaetz’s nomination “the worst in history,” accusing the Florida congressman of incompetence and “moral turpitude,” though he provided no specific examples to substantiate his claims.
Bolton’s critique of Gabbard was equally pointed, labeling her “totally incompetent” for the role of DNI and comparing her nomination to a notorious Roman legend in which Emperor Caligula appointed his horse as consul—a jab aimed at discrediting her qualifications.
“The American Senate must stand up and unanimously reject these nominations,” Bolton said on CNN. “These choices are an affront to the intelligence community and the Justice Department” (NewsNation, 2024).
A Split in Reactions
Supporters of Trump’s picks argue that Bolton’s criticism underscores the suitability of Gabbard and Gaetz for their roles, viewing his opposition as evidence of their alignment with Trump’s America First agenda.
“Bolton’s outrage only confirms that these are the right picks,” one commentator noted, pointing to Bolton’s history of hawkish policies and clashes with Trump’s administration (The Gateway Pundit, 2024).
Elon Musk even weighed in, calling Bolton a “staggeringly dumb warmonger” in response to the comments, framing Bolton’s disapproval as a positive sign for the nominees (George Behizy on X, 2024).
The Bigger Picture
Bolton’s sharp rhetoric reflects the ongoing division within Republican circles, as Trump continues to reshape the party’s identity with unconventional picks. For his part, Trump has defended his nominations, calling Gabbard and Gaetz “tough, smart, and exactly what America needs.”
With the nominations set to face Senate hearings, the battle over their confirmations is shaping up to be another flashpoint in the larger debate over Trump’s legacy and vision for the Republican Party. Whether Bolton’s criticisms resonate or fall flat, one thing is clear: these appointments have already ignited fierce political drama.
Sources:
- NewsNation, 2024. Interview with John Bolton on Gaetz and Gabbard nominations.
- The Gateway Pundit, 2024. Report on Trump’s cabinet nominations and Bolton’s reaction.
- George Behizy on X, 2024. Commentary on Elon Musk’s response to Bolton.
- NBC’s Meet the Press, 2024. Bolton’s remarks on cabinet nominations.
