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Trump blames Bolton for Iraq war and revokes security detail
In a striking rebuke, former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized his one-time national security adviser, John Bolton, attributing the disastrous U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 to Bolton's influence over President George W. Bush. Trump stated that Bolton, alongside former Vice President Dick Cheney and others, convinced Bush to undertake what he characterized as a catastrophic decision that "blew up the Middle East."
Trump's comments came shortly after he revoked Bolton's Secret Service protection, a move that he defended by arguing that individuals should not receive lifetime security for past positions. He expressed his belief that Bolton's actions led to significant loss of life and destabilization in the region, stating, "We got nothing out of it except a lot of death. We killed a lot of people, and John Bolton was one of those guys, a stupid guy."
Bolton, who served under Trump from 2018 to 2019 before resigning amid policy disagreements, expressed disappointment but not surprise at the withdrawal of his security detail. He highlighted ongoing threats against him, including an alleged Iranian assassination plot linked to his role in U.S. foreign policy decisions.
This latest exchange underscores the ongoing tensions between Trump and Bolton, particularly as Bolton has emerged as a vocal critic of Trump’s foreign policy approach. Following his departure from the White House, Bolton published a memoir that included sensitive information about the administration, which Trump has claimed jeopardized national security.
In light of these developments, the State Department has offered a $20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of an Iranian official allegedly involved in the plot against Bolton. This situation reflects broader issues concerning U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the long-lasting repercussions of the Iraq War.