Trump tweeted that he “disagreed strongly” with many of Bolton’s suggestions. (File photo: Reuters)
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has fired National Security Advisor John Bolton, after he “disagreed strongly” with many of Bolton’s suggestions.
Trump tweeted on Tuesday that he told Bolton that his services were no longer needed at the White House.
“I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration,” Trump tweeted, adding that he then asked Bolton for his resignation.
I informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House. I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration, and therefore....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 10, 2019
“I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning. I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Bolton tweeted a contradictory message just minutes later, saying that he “offered to resign,” yet Trump delayed their discussion.
I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, "Let's talk about it tomorrow."
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) September 10, 2019
Bolton, a Baltimore native, has in the past advocated for war with North Korea. The 70 year-old is also known for supporting the 2003 Iraq invasion, following the first Gulf War in the 1990s.
Bolton had advocated caution on Trump’s engagement with North Korea. He was also against Trump’s decision last year to pull US troops out of Syria, as he believed it was necessary to remain in the country to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East.
Bolton was appointed as Trump’s third national security adviser in April 2018.
He had begun his career in the administration of former president Ronald Reagan in the US Agency for National Development and as assistant attorney general from 1985 to 1989. He also served as a political appointee from 1989 to 1993 under former president George H.W. Bush.
Meanwhile, Trump has been criticized in the past by his opponents, and many Republican politicians alike for his engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has not yet made tangible steps towards denuclearization.
