John Bolton served in senior roles in the Reagan, Bush and Trump administrations and was a Fox News commentator. Now, Bolton has a new title: Conservative target.
Bolton's memoir alleges Trump told him he wanted to freeze nearly $400 million in Ukraine aid until officials in Kyiv opened an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, according to the Times. The revelation undermines a central Trump defense – that the money was withheld over concerns about corruption in Ukraine, rather than to pressure Kyiv to investigate the president's political rival.
"I know John Bolton to be a man of integrity, true to his word and possessing an extraordinary memory," said Thomas Boyd, a friend and former Bolton deputy who said he could not speak to the accuracy of the Times' report on Bolton's book."But I will say that John would never make something up on a matter of such importance."Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs, a Trump ally, described Bolton's book as"a rancid, corrupt, absolutely disgusting move.
Bolton's long-standing ties with conservatives have muddied the response and left some Republicans uncertain how to proceed. Democrats said Bolton's book should compel the Senate to hear from Bolton as a witness. Some Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., indicated they may be open to that idea.
Schlapp questioned the accuracy of the leak and said he will withhold judgment until he can read Bolton's book himself. The memoir is scheduled to publish in March. When reporters asked Sen. Pat Toomey what he thought of Bolton – who has given heavily to his campaign – the Pennsylvania Republican hurried past them without responding.
Those differences spilled into public view in September, when Trump said he fired Bolton but Bolton said he left on his own.Some Bolton associates disagreed with the White House's characterization of his motives.
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