Former President Donald Trump has provided a candid explanation for his decision to revoke the security clearance of John Bolton, his former national security adviser. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump offered insight into his rationale, referring to Bolton as a “very dumb person” and explaining how he leveraged Bolton’s hawkish reputation during their time working together.
Trump addressed the decision after a reporter inquired about the move, which came as part of a broader executive order issued Monday to revoke security clearances for several former officials. Trump framed the decision as a practical policy shift, suggesting that indefinite security clearance for former officials is unnecessary.
“I think there was enough time. We take a job, you take a job, you want to do a job, we’re not going to have security on people for the rest of their lives. Why should we?” Trump said.
While the revocation of Bolton’s security clearance was the headline, it was clear from Trump’s remarks that the decision was also personal. Trump described Bolton as a poor fit for his administration’s vision but acknowledged how Bolton’s public persona was useful in specific contexts.
“I thought he was a very dumb person, but I used him well because every time people saw me come into a meeting with John Bolton standing behind me, they thought that he’d attack them because he was a warmonger,” Trump quipped.
John Bolton, a staunch advocate of aggressive foreign policy and interventionism, served as Trump’s national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019. However, their working relationship quickly soured due to deep policy disagreements, particularly regarding military interventions and foreign diplomacy.
Bolton has since become one of Trump’s most vocal critics, frequently denouncing the former president’s leadership style and policy decisions. In August, Bolton accused Trump of disregarding objective truth, stating that “in his [Trump’s] mind, the truth is whatever he wants it to be.”
Bolton also criticized Trump’s approach to national security and governance, remarks that may have influenced Trump’s decision to revoke his security clearance.
In addition to losing his security clearance, Bolton revealed on Tuesday that his Secret Service protection, extended during the Biden administration, had also been terminated by Trump.
“I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has decided to terminate the protection previously provided by the United States Secret Service,” Bolton said in a statement to The Hill.
Bolton contrasted this decision with President Biden’s actions, noting that Biden had chosen to extend his Secret Service protection in 2021 despite their political differences.
“Notwithstanding my criticisms of President Biden’s national-security policies, he nonetheless made the decision to extend that protection to me,” Bolton added.
The Secret Service protection had reportedly been granted due to credible threats against Bolton stemming from his tenure as national security adviser.
Bolton’s security clearance revocation is part of a wider effort by Trump to strip former officials of privileges he believes are unwarranted after their service ends. The Monday executive order targeted several former officials who have been publicly critical of Trump, signaling a shift in how the former president views the privileges traditionally extended to past members of the government.
Trump has argued that these privileges, including security clearances, are often misused for partisan purposes. Critics of the move, however, claim it is an act of political retribution aimed at silencing dissent.
Bolton’s tenure as national security adviser was marked by sharp disagreements with Trump on major foreign policy issues. Bolton advocated for a hardline stance against Iran, North Korea, and other adversaries, often clashing with Trump’s preference for negotiation and reduced military involvement.
After leaving the administration, Bolton published a memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which painted a damning portrait of Trump’s presidency and alleged numerous instances of misconduct. Trump dismissed the book as fiction and referred to Bolton as “incompetent.”
Bolton’s outspoken criticism of Trump has ensured that their contentious relationship remains in the public spotlight, even years after their professional split.
Trump’s decision to revoke Bolton’s security clearance and Secret Service protection has sparked a debate over the balance between protecting national security and maintaining institutional norms. While Trump’s supporters view the move as a justified measure against a critic who undermined his administration, detractors argue it sets a dangerous precedent of using security privileges as a political weapon.
For Trump, the decision aligns with his broader narrative of challenging the so-called “Deep State” and eliminating what he sees as unnecessary privileges granted to former officials. For Bolton, it is yet another chapter in his public feud with the former president, reinforcing his position as one of Trump’s most prominent Republican critics.
As Trump gears up for another term in office, his actions regarding Bolton signal a readiness to confront past allies and critics alike. The decision to revoke Bolton’s security clearance and Secret Service protection reflects Trump’s willingness to break with tradition in favor of his vision for government accountability.
With more executive orders and policy changes on the horizon, Trump’s actions underscore his determination to reshape Washington, even if it means reigniting old conflicts with former administration officials.