Former National Security Advisor John Bolton, known for his hawkish foreign policy stances, has publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Kash Patel as the next FBI Director.
Bolton’s remarks reflect lingering bitterness following his dismissal from the Trump administration in 2019, a split that has fueled his ongoing critiques of the former president’s policies and decisions.
In September 2019, Trump removed Bolton from his position as National Security Advisor, citing significant disagreements on key policy issues. Announcing the decision, Trump said:
“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. I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week.”
Since then, Bolton has been an outspoken critic of Trump, frequently attacking his leadership and policies. The nomination of Kash Patel to head the FBI has provided Bolton with a new platform for criticism.
In a strongly worded statement, Bolton lambasted Patel’s nomination, comparing him to Soviet secret police chief Lavrenty Beria, a close associate of Joseph Stalin infamous for his brutal tactics. Bolton said:
“Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be his Lavrenty Beria. Fortunately, the FBI is not the NKVD. The Senate should reject this nomination 100-0.”
Bolton’s reference to Beria, a symbol of Stalinist oppression, suggests he believes Patel’s leadership would compromise the FBI’s integrity.
Bolton’s comments drew swift and sharp criticism from prominent Trump allies, including Vice President-elect JD Vance. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vance dismissed Bolton’s remarks and took a jab at the former national security advisor’s controversial track record.
John Bolton has been wrong about everything so I guess Kash must be pretty awesome. https://t.co/V2wYNcqhmh
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 1, 2024
“John Bolton has been wrong about everything, so I guess Kash must be pretty awesome,” Vance wrote, signaling strong support for Patel’s nomination.
Kash Patel, a former top aide in the Trump administration, is recognized for his roles in exposing intelligence community misconduct and advocating for greater accountability. He has served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense and held key positions in national security.
Trump has touted Patel as the ideal candidate to reform the FBI, promising a crackdown on crime and a restoration of public trust. Supporters view Patel as a necessary disruptor, while critics, like Bolton, argue that his leadership could politicize the bureau.
Bolton’s harsh rhetoric against Trump and his allies has become a recurring theme since his departure from the administration. His opposition to Patel’s nomination aligns with his broader disapproval of Trump’s agenda, though critics of Bolton argue that his policy misjudgments, particularly in foreign affairs, undermine his credibility.
As the Senate prepares to evaluate Patel’s nomination, the debate underscores the deep divisions within the political and national security communities about the direction of federal law enforcement under a second Trump administration.