March 23, 2018

Duckworth: Bolton’s Bush Administration Record “All the Proof Anyone Should Need” That He Lacks Judgment Needed to be National Security Advisor

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s appointment of John Bolton as National Security Advisor, replacing H.R. McMaster:

“John Bolton’s disastrous record during the Bush Administration is all the proof anyone should need that he lacks the judgment necessary to serve as National Security Advisor. He didn’t just aggressively push for war with Iraq, he was confident that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. When confronted with the reality that Hussein had no such weapons, Bolton stubbornly insisted that the Iraq War was still a good idea.

“More recently, Bolton advocated for pre-emptively bombing north Korea and Iran, having apparently learned nothing from his mistakes in Iraq. His appointment to this critical role could be catastrophic for both our national security and the troops who could be put in danger because of the advice he gives to Donald Trump.

“Presidents need intelligent people around them to debate tough issues and provide thoughtful, strategic advice on complex natural security challenges. Heading into tense negotiations with north Korea, this appointment is yet another example of Donald Trump choosing chaos over the steady, pragmatic and consistent leadership our great nation deserves.”