Can ‘America First’ survive John Bolton?
After more than two years into his administration, President Donald Trump may be beginning to realize his National Security Advisor John Bolton could be anathema to his stated ‘America First’ foreign policy.
Although the president recently told reporters that he is able to keep Bolton’s worst instincts in check, a recent op-ed in the Washington Post suggests Trump was unhappy with Bolton leading him “into a war” after the failed Venezuela coup.
President Trump on John Bolton: "John is a -- he has strong views on things but that's okay. I actually temper John which is pretty amazing isn't it?" https://t.co/mWl2BwPo5Ypic.twitter.com/TXKX6XJbSO
— The Hill (@thehill) May 9, 2019
That certainly would not be new for the national security advisor, a political appointee under Ronald Reagan and both Bush administrations and a career war hawk.
Bolton has a passion for regime change, calling for the removal of leaders in Iran, Venezuela, Syria and North Korea; no country is too far-flung for American-approved leadership.
He’s also perhaps never seen an arms control agreement that he didn’t want to destroy. Bolton had a hand in wrecking the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) and Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) agreements with Russia, he helped to scrap the Agreed Framework with North Korea in the 1990s, and encouraged President Trump to abrogate the nuclear pact with Iran.
It may be easier to count the number of American wars Bolton hasn’t supported, which appears to be a big, fat zero.
Also on rt.com Hawks at the wheel: Bolton and Pompeo ‘steering US towards confrontation everywhere’During the 2016 race, candidate Trump ran on an ‘America First’ foreign policy and was often critical of the US role as “policeman of the world,” which makes a paradox out of his decision to put Bolton in such a high position. And judging from the new wave of sabre-rattling, hawks like Bolton are calling the shots, and the president has taken a backseat in his own administration.
Unconstitutional war hawks John Bolton and Mike Pompeo are pushing Trump towards armed conflict with Iran. An aircraft carrier is on its way to the Persian Gulf. Wag the Dog is approaching. Send your messages of protest to the White House https://t.co/QUcC4btnDK -R
— Ralph Nader (@RalphNader) May 8, 2019
Trump reportedly annoyed at John Bolton for trying to get him “into a war” and promising how easy it would be to overthrow the Venezuelan government, an initiative which appears to have failed. This would be a great opportunity to overthrow Bolton https://t.co/0lAO9NCQ5i
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) May 9, 2019
.@washingtonpost Why would anyone listen to a Neoconman?The president’s dissatisfaction has crystallized around national security adviser John Bolton and what Trump has groused is an interventionist stance at odds with his view that the US should stay out of foreign quagmires. pic.twitter.com/hGO8wyXjOi
— J.M. Hamilton (@jmhamiltonblog) May 9, 2019
Why the hell is Trump allowing “his administration” 2 push war & coup in Venezuela. He is the god damn president! If he doesn’t want to get involved (he shouldn’t) then tell John Bolton to take his mustache for a walk! You are president—not Bolton & Pompeo https://t.co/lxrUEyXSUy
— Jordan (@JordanChariton) May 9, 2019
Remember when Trump called the Iraq war "a big fat mistake" then made John Bolton his National Security Adviser?
— (((YousefMunayyer))) (@YousefMunayyer) May 9, 2019
The #Resistance, of course, has spun the Washington Post story in its own favor.
This report that Trump is frustrated w/ Bolton on Venezuela will likely be spun by hawkish liberals in the most noxious way: - Trump must've been swayed by his handler, Putin- Trump is admiring yet one more strongman, Maduro -- "a tough cookie"https://t.co/zridzC99Ck
— Aaron Maté (@aaronjmate) May 9, 2019
How do you come to work anymore if you're John Bolton? pic.twitter.com/gYfuZANiaS
— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) May 4, 2019
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