Many high-profile Democrats reacted to National Security Advisor John Bolton’s departure Tuesday, celebrating his absence but warning that President Trump also needs to go.
Trump announced Bolton’s departure in a pair of tweets Tuesday, writing, “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 I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning,” Trump explained.
“I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week,” he added:
….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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 10, 2019
While Democrats across the board are celebrating the decision, they are also warning that Trump needs to go as well.
“The American people are better off with John Bolton out of the White House. The world will be better off when the man who hired him in the first place is out too,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) wrote:
The American people are better off with John Bolton out of the White House. The world will be better off when the man who hired him in the first place is out too.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) September 10, 2019
“A symptom of the problem is gone. The root cause of authoritarianism remains,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) declared:
A symptom of the problem is gone. The root cause of authoritarianism remains. https://t.co/EvXAY0gsPU
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) September 10, 2019
“John Bolton has been one of the leading proponents of making the world a more dangerous place,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted. “Good riddance”:
John Bolton has been one of the leading proponents of making the world a more dangerous place.
Good riddance. https://t.co/drUKYRxCwW
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) September 10, 2019
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) described the decision as “the latest example of his [Trump’s] government-by-chaos approach and his rudderless national security policy.”
“When Ambassador Bolton’s extreme views aren’t enough for you, the U.S. is headed for even more chaotic times,” he added:
Today’s action by @realDonaldTrump is just the latest example of his government-by-chaos approach and his rudderless national security policy.
When Ambassador Bolton’s extreme views aren’t enough for you, the U.S. is headed for even more chaotic times.https://t.co/jLfQcCwjn3
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 10, 2019
More:
John Bolton's sudden departure is a symbol of the disarray that has unnerved our allies since day one of the Trump Administration. Steady leadership & strategic foreign policy is key to ensuring America’s national security. https://t.co/MQIYet8pnA
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 10, 2019
I’m legitimately shaken by the grave instability of American foreign policy today.
I’m no Bolton fan, but the world is coming apart, and the revolving door of U.S. leadership is disappearing America from the world just at the moment where a stable American hand is most needed.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 10, 2019
The world doesn’t stand still and simply watch our national security dysfunction.
Our allies and adversaries turn to cut deals with other leading nations whose policy is, at the very least, consistent – like China and Russia – while we fall to pieces.
These are scary times.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 10, 2019
The fact that Trump has fewer people whispering war chants in his ear is good. Bolton was dangerous and that’s why I opposed his selection. But it can also be true that the general instability of American security policy and personnel is making us weaker in the world.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 10, 2019
Good riddance. John Bolton is a warmonger who has been inflating threats and bending intelligence to justify dangerous, predetermined policies. He should never have been in a position of such power, but Trump has only himself to blame for the chaos of his reckless foreign policy.
— Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) September 10, 2019
Whoever replaces Mr. Bolton ought to be someone who approaches our national security challenges with strategy and care, someone who understands the importance of working closely with the Congress, and someone who isn’t afraid to say “no” to the President when he is wrong.
— Steny Hoyer (@LeaderHoyer) September 10, 2019
@RepDennyHeck on Bolton departure: “So we are going to have the fourth national security adviser in 2 and 3/4 years? The very definition of national INsecurity.”
— Olivia Beavers (@Olivia_Beavers) September 10, 2019
Bolton disputed Trump’s description of his exit, writing, “I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, ‘Let’s talk about it tomorrow,'” on Twitter shortly after the president’s announcement:
I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, "Let's talk about it tomorrow."
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) September 10, 2019
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