President Trump’s choice of John Bolton as his third national security adviser at the White House has predictably sparked dramatic reactions, especially among liberals.
A former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Bolton is replacing H.R. McMaster and his reputation is preceding him, as critics worry about his advocating the use of military force against North Korea and Iran.
I am pleased to announce that, effective 4/9/18, @AmbJohnBolton will be my new National Security Advisor. I am very thankful for the service of General H.R. McMaster who has done an outstanding job & will always remain my friend. There will be an official contact handover on 4/9.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2018
While most Republicans welcomed the news that Bolton would be joining the Trump administration, Democrats raised concerns about the man who served in the Republican administrations of former presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders declared that Bolton is “absolutely the wrong person” for coordinating national security issues for the president.
John Bolton was part of the effort to mislead the US into the disastrous Iraq war and has supported military action against North Korea and Iran. He was too extreme to be confirmed as UN ambassador in 2005 and is absolutely the wrong person to be national security advisor now.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) March 22, 2018
“Ambassador Bolton’s stated positions on today’s major issues, most notably North Korea’s and Iran’s nuclear programs, are overly aggressive at best and downright dangerous at worst,” Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, said.
Republican lawmakers welcomed the choice of Bolton, a recognizable Fox News contributor with his signature mustache.
I know John Bolton well, he is an excellent choice who will do an great job as National Security Advisor. General McMaster has served and will continue to serve our nation well. We should all be grateful to him for his service.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 22, 2018
Amb John Bolton will be great National Security Adviser for @realDonaldTrump. Ridiculously knowledgable. Leaks from NSC will end. Obama holdovers will be gone & team, chemistry & work product will all get ramped up. Very underrated, amazing American. Extraordinarily talented pick
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) March 22, 2018
But there was no consoling liberals who only saw doom and gloom in the new appointment.
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer found Bolton’s tendencies “troubling.”
Mr. Bolton’s tendency to try to solve every geopolitical problem w/ the American military first is a troubling one. I hope he will temper his instinct to commit our armed forces to conflicts around the globe, when we need to be focused on building the middle class here at home.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 23, 2018
Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum called Bolton “a discredited architect of the Iraq War,” echoing concerns of others on the left who have accused him of manipulating intelligence leading up to the Iraq War.
.@AmbJohnBolton is a discredited architect of the Iraq War whose reckless views could lead us into war with Iran & North Korea. The Bolton appointment puts our national security at risk.https://t.co/vOrLVxhjOJ
— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) March 22, 2018
Even for this Administration, this is a monumental step backward.
Trump desperately needs tempered and measured voices around him, Bolton is neither of those things. His appointment carries grave national security implications, and sends the worst kind of message to our allies. https://t.co/qvL6BioDXL
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) March 22, 2018
The mainstream media joined the panic over the “hawkish neoconservative,” as CNN and others referred to Bolton, while the liberal anxiety continued on Twitter where the announcement of Bolton’s new job was trending Thursday.
John Bolton as National Security Advisor is the worst case scenario. Trump campaigned against the disastrous decision to invade Iraq, but Bolton remains unrepentant and is now arguing to strike North Korea. Disaster.
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) March 22, 2018
I am telling my sons to move to Canada.
— The Uncivil Servant (@the_uncivil) March 23, 2018
Main stream snowflakes are in major meltdown over McMasters replacement John Bolton. #MAGA
— George (@George36813439) March 23, 2018
Via BizPAC
