“Cruelty for the Sake of Cruelty”: Trump Strips John Bolton of Security Clearance and Secret Service Protection
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press file)
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump stunned many by revoking both the security clearance and Secret Service protection of former national security adviser John Bolton. The move, which occurred within hours of Trump taking office, has drawn widespread criticism, particularly as Bolton remains a reported target of Iranian assassination attempts.
Bolton expressed his dismay in an interview with CNN. “I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has made this decision,” he said. He acknowledged that while he has been critical of President Biden’s national security policies, Biden reinstated Bolton’s Secret Service protection in 2021.
Bolton referenced a 2020 Justice Department case that charged an Iranian Revolutionary Guard official with attempting to hire a hitman to assassinate him. “That threat remains today, as also demonstrated by the recent arrest of someone trying to arrange for President Trump’s own assassination,” he noted.
“The American people can judge for themselves which President made the right call.” The decision triggered backlash on social media, with commentators decrying Trump’s actions as petty and dangerous. Journalist Yashar Ali took to Bluesky, writing: “Suspected this would happen. Trump has terminated John Bolton’s Secret Service detail.
Can’t stand Bolton, but he is under legitimate and grave threat by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Supreme Leader despises him and brings him up in speeches by name, something he normally reserves for US Presidents.” Mark Chadbourn, a journalist with The New European, highlighted the timing of Trump’s decision:
“The prettiest person to hold high office: within hours of taking office, with serious business piling up, Trump took time to cancel the Secret Service detail for former national security adviser John Bolton—a thorn in Trump’s side—even though Bolton faces Iranian death threats.”
Even critics of Bolton expressed concern. The account formerly known as Angry Staffer, now just Angry, wrote: “You all know I’m no fan of Bolton, but this move by Trump is just unnecessary cruelty for the sake of cruelty.”
The Krassensteins account, run by journalists Ed and Brian Krassenstein, summarized the situation in a blunt post: “BREAKING: Trump has ended Secret Service protection for his former adviser, John Bolton, apparently in retaliation for Bolton writing a book critical of Trump.
Let’s not forget: the DOJ charged an Iranian national in 2022 for plotting to assassinate Bolton. Trump is a Horrible Person!” The decision underscores Trump’s contentious relationship with Bolton and has reignited concerns about the politicization of security protections.
