Posted on 02/18/2017 5:39:07 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Senior White House officials and members of the National Security Council are pushing former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton as a replacement for ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to multiple sources in and out of the White House who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon.
Among Bolton's most vocal supporters are senior administration officials loyal to Flynn and who are upset at the general's firing. Multiple sources described an effort by these Flynn loyalists to ensure that Bolton is selected as his replacement.
The selection of Bolton as the next national security adviser would empower Flynn's allies still in the White House and send a message that his national security vision is represented within the Trump administration. Bolton is also favored by White House staffers who are opposed to the selection of any candidate who criticized President Trump during the 2016 campaign.
President Donald Trump has not settled on a final selection yet and is also eyeing retired Army Gen. Keith Kellogg, who has been acting national security adviser since Flynn's departure, as well as other candidates.
"There's a strong inclination in the NSC towards the kind of experienced leadership Bolton would represent," said one current official, who requested anonymity to speak freely about the situation. "He knows the ins and outs of D.C. but he's not an establishment, Never Trump type. There's also a lot of respect for General Kellogg and KT McFarland, both of whom have really stepped up under challenging circumstances."
Bolton, a senior figure in the George W. Bush administration, is well versed in the intricacies of government and would give the White House credibility at a time when the administration is under criticism.
"The one thing that makes Bolton more qualified than anyone else for the Trump era is that he has a veteran genius-level understanding of the organizational structure of our nation's diplomatic and intelligence apparatus," said one veteran foreign policy insider who is in close contact with multiple senior Trump administration national security figures.
Bolton has the ability to help root out Obama administration holdovers still working in the government, according to multiple sources. That would be essential. The Free Beacon reported earlier this week that Flynn's ouster was in part manufactured by Obama administration loyalists who leaked classified information as part of an effort to destroy the former national security adviser's credibility.
Bolton's staunchly conservative credentials and outspoken personality make him a favorite among those officials who championed Trump from the start of the 2016 campaign. Conservatives outside the administration would also cheer the appointment.
"One person I think would be very, very strong is John Bolton," Senator Ted Cruz told CNN Friday. "He's someone who understands the world, he understands the threats of radical Islamic terrorism."
Can we steer clear of nation-building this time around?
I know my FRiends here are going to be clobbering me over the head with rubber chickens for this but I hope Bolton gets this job.
why? it worked the first time, until obama unwon in iraq.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
John Bolton didn’t do that. You’re thinking of George Bush.
All I really know about Bolton is from what I’ve seen of his many appearances on Fox News. Based on everything I’ve ever heard him say, I would be very pleased to see him get the gig.
So when is Afghanistan good to be left to its own devices?
The two are not acquainted?
Explain.
Feel better I agree with you
He’s always been someone I can be convinced of but I’m not yet convinced of. I do think he would be loyal though, I think he has a problem with many of the swamp figures. I don’t know enough though; I trust Trump on this, Trump is not a globalist and that’s not his m/o
Was he vice president? Secretary of State? Defense Secretary? No. He was a one year ambassador to the United Nations. Ambassadors don’t run the executive branch.
If Bolton can't tolerate that, he should take himself out of the running immediately.
.
Don’t be an idiot; we have too many already.
Bolton is the best of the best.
probably never. it’s a pile of rocks. but you can keep it from becoming a terrorist haven without occupying the country (namely by keeping the rubble bouncing with air strikes and turning bad guys into drone splat), which was pretty much where the bushies were going before they left office.
it’s a toxic topic here at FR, but the world would be a safer place if we had gotten a third bush administration, instead of the first obama administration.
DITTO on the NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Council of Foreign Relations Globalist Bushie Bolton.
No to the New World Order freaks.
Sorry Mr. Pence, your job is to help the President DRAIN THE SWAMP.
.
Yes, Bolton is top shelf.
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And that policy seems to have included persistent presence in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The problem is that nobody in Afghanistan seemed prepared to take the keys.
Why should we stay there if and when they are not competent to run their own affairs?
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