Bolton defends himself after Pompeo’s harsh words, criticising his character and calling for his imprisonment.
John Bolton, former national security adviser, has hit back at Mike Pompeo following the latter’s harsh criticisms in his upcoming memoir Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love. In excerpts published recently, Pompeo labelled Bolton a “scumbag loser” and accused him of leaking classified information with the publication of his own book, The Room Where It Happened.
Pompeo expressed a desire to see Bolton imprisoned for allegedly spilling classified material, a claim Bolton has consistently denied. The dispute over Bolton’s memoir was the subject of a 2021 Justice Department inquiry, which did not result in charges.
Bolton, responding to the accusations, stated: “Mr Pompeo’s statements (in his upcoming book) to the contrary tell you more about his character than about my book.” He further clarified that his book had gone through a national security review process before its release.
The two former colleagues, both of whom have presidential aspirations for 2024, could potentially face off in the upcoming Republican primaries. Bolton, however, has indicated that his presidential ambitions are motivated by a desire to block Donald Trump from regaining office, while Pompeo has been actively building his profile in early primary states, positioning himself for a potential GOP nomination bid.
Pompeo’s memoir also targets other potential rivals, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. In the book, Pompeo criticises Haley for quitting her role at a crucial time, questioning her commitment to both her state and the nation.
Hello world!
Pic of the week: Sunset at margate beach
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields