John Bolton

John Bolton
Born	John Robert Bolton II 20 11, 1948
Birthplace	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, diplomat, political commentator, consultant
Known for	25th U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, 26th U.S. National Security Advisor

John Robert Bolton II (born November 20, 1948) is an American attorney, diplomat, Republican consultant, and political commentator whose career in government and public life has spanned more than four decades. A figure whose foreign policy positions have generated both staunch support and intense criticism, Bolton served in senior roles across four Republican presidential administrations — those of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. He held the post of 25th United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006 and later served as the 26th United States National Security Advisor from April 2018 to September 2019. Bolton has been a vocal advocate of assertive American foreign policy, including the use of military force and regime change in countries such as Iran, Syria, Libya, Venezuela, Cuba, Yemen, and North Korea. His political views have been described as conservative, American nationalist, and neoconservative, though Bolton has rejected the neoconservative label. After his departure from the Trump administration, Bolton published The Room Where It Happened (2020), a memoir detailing his time as national security advisor that became a bestseller. In October 2025, Bolton was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the unlawful transmission and retention of national defense information.

Early Life

John Robert Bolton II was born on November 20, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Yale Heights in Baltimore. Bolton's father was a firefighter for the Baltimore City Fire Department. Bolton attended McDonogh School, a private preparatory school in Owings Mills, Maryland, where he was a strong student. His academic achievements earned him admission to Yale University, setting the stage for a career in law and government service.

Bolton's upbringing in a blue-collar household in Baltimore shaped aspects of his worldview and contributed to a self-described combative approach to politics and policy. He developed an interest in conservative politics at a young age and became active in Republican political circles during his college years. His early political engagement included volunteering for the presidential campaign of Senator Barry Goldwater in 1964, when Bolton was still a teenager. This formative experience in Goldwater-style conservatism would influence Bolton's political orientation throughout his subsequent career in government and public commentary.

Education

Bolton pursued his undergraduate education at Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. While at Yale, he was a member of the Yale Political Union. He went on to attend Yale Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1974. At Yale Law School, Bolton was a contemporary of several individuals who would go on to prominent roles in American political and legal life. His legal training at Yale provided the foundation for his early career in government service, initially within the legal and legislative affairs apparatus of the federal government before he transitioned to diplomatic and national security roles.

Career

Early Government Service Under Reagan

Bolton began his career in government during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. He first served as an assistant administrator at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Program and Policy Coordination, a post he held from August 1982 to December 1983. In this role, Bolton was involved in overseeing policy direction for American foreign aid programs during a period of significant Cold War competition for influence in the developing world.

In December 1985, Bolton was appointed as the United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs, a position he held until July 1988. In this capacity, he served as the primary liaison between the Department of Justice and the United States Congress, coordinating the administration's legislative agenda on legal and judicial matters. He subsequently served as the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division from July 1988 until January 1989, during the final months of the Reagan administration.

Assistant Secretary of State Under George H. W. Bush

With the inauguration of President George H. W. Bush in January 1989, Bolton transitioned from the Department of Justice to the United States Department of State. He was appointed as the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs on May 22, 1989, serving in this role until the end of the Bush administration on January 20, 1993. In this position, Bolton was responsible for managing U.S. relations with the United Nations and other international organizations during a transformative period in world affairs, encompassing the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the Gulf War.

During his tenure, Bolton became known for his skepticism toward international institutions and multilateral agreements. He articulated the view that the United Nations and similar bodies should serve American national interests rather than constrain them — a perspective that would define his approach to international affairs throughout his career. His statement that "there is no such thing as the United Nations" and that "there is an international community that occasionally can be led by the only real power left in the world, and that is the United States," became one of his most frequently cited remarks and encapsulated his approach to international diplomacy.

Advocacy and Think Tank Work (1993–2001)

After leaving government with the conclusion of the George H. W. Bush administration in 1993, Bolton entered the private sector and became active in conservative think tanks and advocacy organizations. He became a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), one of Washington's most prominent conservative policy research organizations. At AEI, Bolton wrote and spoke extensively on foreign policy issues, advocating for a more assertive American posture on the world stage.

Bolton was also a director of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), a neoconservative think tank that advocated for American global leadership and, notably, favored military action against Iraq. PNAC's advocacy for regime change in Iraq became a significant element of the public debate in the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003. Bolton was among those who signed letters and participated in public advocacy calling for the removal of Saddam Hussein from power.

During this period out of government, Bolton also served as a commentator on Fox News Channel, providing analysis on foreign policy and national security matters. This media presence helped maintain his public profile and positioned him for a return to government service.

Under Secretary of State for Arms Control (2001–2005)

When President George W. Bush took office in January 2001, Bolton returned to the State Department in a senior role. He was appointed as the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs on May 11, 2001, serving in this capacity until July 31, 2005. This was a period of immense consequence in American foreign policy, encompassing the September 11 attacks, the beginning of the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.

In this role, Bolton was a leading voice within the administration on issues related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation, arms control treaties, and the threat posed by what the Bush administration termed the "Axis of evil" — Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. Bolton was a prominent advocate for the Iraq War, arguing that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to American national security. He also played a role in the administration's withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002 and its opposition to the International Criminal Court.

Bolton's tenure as under secretary was marked by controversy. He was accused by some subordinates and intelligence analysts of pressuring them to alter their assessments to conform to administration policy positions, particularly regarding Cuba's alleged biological weapons program. These allegations became a central issue during his later confirmation hearings for the ambassadorship to the United Nations.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2005–2006)

President George W. Bush nominated Bolton to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations in 2005. The nomination proved deeply contentious. Bolton's long record of skepticism toward the United Nations and accusations from former colleagues about his management style and treatment of subordinates drew significant opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans in the United States Senate. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was unable to reach a consensus on the nomination, and a full Senate vote was blocked by a filibuster.

Unable to secure Senate confirmation, Bolton was given a recess appointment by President Bush on August 2, 2005, allowing him to take up the post without Senate approval. He served as ambassador from August 2005 to December 31, 2006. During his tenure, Bolton pushed for reform of the United Nations, advocated for stronger action against Iran's nuclear program, and represented U.S. interests during the 2006 Lebanon War.

Bolton stepped down from the post at the end of his recess appointment in December 2006 after it became clear he would not win confirmation from the newly Democratic-controlled Senate following the 2006 United States elections.

Between Government Posts (2007–2018)

After leaving the United Nations, Bolton returned to the American Enterprise Institute and resumed his role as a Fox News Channel commentator. He continued to advocate for hawkish foreign policy positions, calling for military action against Iran's nuclear facilities and opposing diplomatic engagement with North Korea.

Bolton considered running for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination but ultimately did not enter the race. He instead served as a foreign policy adviser to the campaign of Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.

Bolton established a super PAC, the John Bolton Super PAC, which supported Republican candidates in congressional races. The PAC was active in several election cycles and reportedly employed the data firm Cambridge Analytica. The PAC also launched advertisements in support of Republican Senate candidates.

Bolton was reportedly considered for the position of United States Secretary of State or National Security Advisor early in the Trump administration. He was among the candidates interviewed by President-elect Trump for the role of secretary of state in late 2016 and early 2017, and was later considered for national security advisor before the appointment of Michael Flynn and subsequently H. R. McMaster.

National Security Advisor (2018–2019)

On March 22, 2018, President Donald Trump announced that Bolton would replace H. R. McMaster as National Security Advisor, effective April 9, 2018. The appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation, was seen as a significant shift in the administration's foreign policy orientation toward a more hawkish posture.

As national security advisor, Bolton played a central role in several consequential foreign policy decisions. He was a leading advocate for the United States' withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, which occurred in May 2018. Bolton had repeatedly called for the termination of the agreement, arguing that it was insufficient to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Bolton was also involved in the administration's approach to North Korea, including the diplomatic engagement between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Reports indicated that Bolton took a harder line toward North Korea than other administration officials, at times complicating diplomatic efforts. His reference to the "Libya model" for North Korean denuclearization — a reference to Muammar Gaddafi's decision to give up nuclear weapons before being overthrown and killed — angered North Korean officials and briefly threatened to derail planned summit talks.

Additionally, Bolton was involved in U.S. policy toward Venezuela, where the administration recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president in opposition to Nicolás Maduro.

Bolton's tenure ended on September 10, 2019. The circumstances of his departure were disputed — President Trump stated on Twitter that he had asked for Bolton's resignation, while Bolton maintained that he had offered to resign the previous evening. He was succeeded by Robert C. O'Brien.

The Room Where It Happened (2020)

In June 2020, Bolton published The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, detailing his experiences as national security advisor. The book provided a critical account of the Trump administration's foreign policy decision-making and became a bestseller. The Trump administration attempted to block the book's publication, with the Department of Justice filing a lawsuit arguing that it contained classified information. A federal judge declined to issue an injunction to prevent publication but stated that Bolton may have compromised national security and exposed himself to criminal liability by not completing the pre-publication review process.

The book included Bolton's accounts of conversations with President Trump and other senior officials, and it detailed what Bolton described as instances in which Trump prioritized personal political interests over national security. Bolton's decision to publish the memoir rather than testify during Trump's first impeachment trial drew criticism from both Democrats, who accused him of prioritizing book sales over civic duty, and Trump supporters, who viewed him as disloyal.

Continued Commentary and 2025 Indictment

Following the publication of his memoir, Bolton continued to serve as a commentator on foreign policy matters, appearing regularly on news programs and writing opinion columns. He has remained an outspoken critic of both the Biden and Trump administrations' foreign policies, advocating for a more assertive American stance, particularly regarding Iran and China. Bolton has also written opinion pieces for major publications, including The Washington Post.

On October 16, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bolton with eight counts of unlawful transmission and ten counts of unlawful retention of national defense information, covering conduct alleged to have occurred between 2018 and 2025. The indictment was filed in the context of a broader series of investigations into the handling of classified information by senior officials. Bolton, identified in court documents as a resident of Bethesda, Maryland, was 76 years old at the time of the indictment. The case drew comparisons to other high-profile classified documents investigations involving former government officials.

Personal Life

Bolton resides in Bethesda, Maryland. He has been married twice. His first marriage, to Christine Bolton, ended in divorce. He has one daughter from his first marriage. Bolton later married Gretchen Smith Bolton.

Bolton is a member of the Republican Party. He has been a member of several professional and civic organizations, including the Federalist Society, and has been affiliated with numerous conservative policy organizations throughout his career.

Bolton's distinctive walrus-style mustache has been a frequent subject of media commentary. According to reports, the mustache was among factors that some Trump associates cited as a reason Trump initially hesitated to appoint Bolton to a senior administration role, though Trump ultimately appointed him as national security advisor in 2018.

Recognition

Bolton's career in government and public commentary has generated significant attention, though assessments of his legacy vary widely depending on political perspective. Supporters have praised his forthright advocacy for American national interests and his willingness to challenge international consensus when he believed it ran counter to U.S. security. Critics have characterized his approach as excessively hawkish and have argued that his advocacy for military intervention has contributed to costly and destabilizing conflicts.

Bolton has received recognition from various conservative organizations for his foreign policy advocacy. His book The Room Where It Happened reached the top of bestseller lists upon its publication in 2020, reflecting significant public interest in his account of the Trump White House.

Within the field of foreign policy analysis, Bolton is considered a representative of the hawkish wing of Republican foreign policy thinking — skeptical of multilateral institutions, supportive of unilateral American action, and favoring military solutions to perceived threats. His career across multiple administrations, spanning arms control, international organizations, and national security, has made him one of the most recognizable Republican foreign policy figures of his generation.

Legacy

Bolton's legacy in American foreign policy is defined by his consistent advocacy for an assertive and, when necessary, unilateral approach to international affairs. Over the course of his career, he served in significant roles under four Republican presidents, each time advancing a vision of American foreign policy characterized by skepticism toward international institutions, opposition to arms control agreements he deemed unfavorable to the United States, and support for the use of military force to address perceived threats.

His role as a leading advocate for the Iraq War, his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, and his skepticism toward diplomatic engagement with North Korea have been among the most debated aspects of his career. The Iraq War, in particular, became a subject of significant retrospective criticism as the principal justification for the conflict — that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction — proved unfounded.

Bolton's relationship with President Trump and the subsequent publication of The Room Where It Happened illustrated the tension between loyalty to a president and independent judgment on policy matters — a tension that has characterized many relationships between national security professionals and the presidents they serve. His decision to write a detailed account of internal White House deliberations, and the government's effort to block its publication, raised questions about the boundaries of executive privilege, the pre-publication review process for former officials, and the public's right to information about its government's decision-making.

The 2025 indictment on charges related to classified information added a new dimension to Bolton's public legacy, placing him among a small number of former senior national security officials to face criminal prosecution for the handling of national defense information. The outcome of this legal proceeding will likely influence how Bolton's long career in public service is ultimately assessed.

Bolton continues to be an active participant in American foreign policy debates, offering commentary through media appearances and published writings on matters including U.S. policy toward Iran, the Middle East, and great power competition.