Special Poll
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has called for full FBI investigations into Rep. Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard before their Senate confirmation hearings. Both have been nominated by Donald Trump—Gaetz for Attorney General and Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Bolton, once Trump’s National Security Advisor but now a vocal critic, made these remarks in an interview with NewsNation’s ‘The Hill’ shortly after Trump’s nominations were announced.
On Wednesday, Trump revealed his choice of Gaetz, a Florida representative, and Gabbard, a former Democratic representative from Hawaii, as nominees for these key roles. Gabbard, who served as vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 to 2016, only officially joined the Republican Party in October.
Bolton argued that neither Gabbard nor Gaetz should proceed to confirmation hearings without thorough FBI background checks, stating, “I don’t think either she or Matt Gaetz ought to have a confirmation hearing until they have both had full field FBI investigations.”
Specifically addressing Gabbard, Bolton expressed concern about her past statements, claiming they align with Russian propaganda, which he views as a “serious threat to national security.”
When asked by anchor Blake Burman about the message Trump’s appointments may send to foreign powers like China, Bolton responded that nominating Gabbard for DNI suggests that “we have lost our mind when it comes to collecting intelligence.”
Bolton further criticized the choices by ranking them among the worst cabinet appointments in recent U.S. history, saying, “Up until a few hours ago, I would have said that was the worst cabinet appointment. Of course, since Matt Gaetz’s nomination, he clearly has taken the lead on that score.”