Donald Trump’s former national security adviser made a stark assessment on Friday of the incoming president’s pick to serve on his new national security team – and had some choice words for his former boss.
“Sebastian Gorka is a con man,” John Bolton said bluntly just after Trump announced Gorka as his choice to be a White House deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism. But Bolton didn’t stop there, telling CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during an appearance on “The Source” that Gorka’s past deserves a thorough government probe.
“He needs a full-field FBI background investigation about his educational claims and things like that,” Bolton said. “I think he is a perfect example of somebody who owes his position purely to Donald Trump – he doesn't display loyalty, he displays fealty – and that's what Trump wants."
Bolton’s comments came during a discussion about Trump’s other selections in the buildout of his national security team, including Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Alex Wong, who was named an assistant to the president and principal deputy national security adviser.
But it was Gorka that elicited the most criticism from Bolton, who also served as George W. Bush’s U.N. ambassador. While the longtime Republican took comfort with Gorka not being selected for a more high-level national security position, he took a shot at Trump when he said he wouldn’t place Gorka “in any U.S. government" position, but explained why Trump did just that.
“He doesn't want Gorka’s opinions, he wants Gorka to say, ‘Yes, sir,’ and I am fully confident that's exactly what will happen, no matter what it is, Trump says,” Bolton added.
“I’m sure he will have a lot of thoughts on those comments from you,” Collins replied.
Watch the clip below or at this link.