Bolton returns to political group after exiting administration

Former national security adviser John Bolton Saturday announced he would resume the John Bolton PAC and John Bolton Super PAC, his first political moves since he was fired from the White House.

In its first move, Bolton’s PAC will endorse and donate $10,000 each to Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.).

{mosads}“The John Bolton PAC and John Bolton Super PAC seek a strong, clear, and dependable U.S. national security policy, resting on constancy and resolve,” Bolton, a foreign policy hawk, said in a statement. “The experience that these incumbent members of Congress have provides them with a remarkable understanding and knowledge of the threats we face from international terrorism and rogue regimes such as Iran and North Korea.” 

President Trump fired Bolton this week, saying his “services are no longer needed at the White House.”

Trump cited strong disagreements “with many of his suggestions.” Bolton rejected the idea that he was dismissed, maintaining that he resigned. 

I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, “Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) September 10, 2019

Trump and Bolton were known to have clashed on an array of foreign policy issues, most notably over the president’s openness to meeting with Iranian leaders. 

Despite Trump’s sway over the GOP, Republicans on Capitol Hill expressed dismay at Bolton’s ouster, signaling his firing may not have made him persona non grata within the GOP. 

“His view was not always the same as everybody else in the room. That’s why you wanted him there. The fact that he was a contrarian from time to time is an asset, not a liability,” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) told reporters Tuesday. “I’m very, very unhappy to hear that he’s leaving. It is a huge loss for the administration in my opinion and for the nation.”