Staff Reports
John Bolton, once hailed as a national security guru and now seems to be part of the left-wing lamentation club, is feeling the heat after President Donald Trump decided to terminate his Secret Service detail on the very first day back in office. What a way to start the new administration—by leaving Bolton to fend for himself in a world filled with threats, some of them very real.
Bolton, who enjoyed the luxury of Secret Service protection during the Biden years, has apparently been jolted out of his cozy habit of government-funded security. The ex-national security adviser characterized this move as disappointing, although the shock of it all seems to have worn off quicker than an American flag at a summer BBQ. One can’t help but notice the irony: a man who dedicated his career to critiquing our enemies now finds himself helpless in the face of his critics—if only he had spent as much energy on protecting himself as he did on maligning former enemies.
John Bolton says Trump revoked his Secret Service protection https://t.co/HPkGXCDa03
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) January 21, 2025
There’s some drama in Bolton’s narrative, too, as he recounts threats against his life, particularly from his old pals in the Iranian regime. He’s not wrong that they’ve wanted him gone ever since he played a role in orchestrating the successful airstrike that turned their beloved General Qasem Soleimani into a pile of regret and ashes. But isn’t it a tad rich that he now cries foul while playing the neocon card he so often dealt to others? The man who spent a good portion of his career advocating for confrontational foreign policy now seems to desire a softer touch when it comes to his own personal safety.
While Bolton spills ink on the potential dangers he faces, he infers that Trump’s pinching of his protection is somehow vindictive. But in the grand scheme, it’s actually quite a pragmatic move. Trump has clarified his reasoning, suggesting a refreshing approach: once a public figure’s job is done, so should be the limitless security theater. After all, how many years of protection does one need post-administration? The sentiment here is clear—a little personal responsibility never hurt anyone.
Let’s be realistic; Bolton’s magnum opus of hawkishness has often seemed more about securing a legacy than genuine concern for national safety. Now, as he trades his suits for flip-flops to navigate the uncertain waters of self-advocacy, the irony is hard to miss: the security he once deemed essential has been unceremoniously revoked. Perhaps it serves as a potent reminder that once the political winds shift, even the staunchest neoconservative can find himself navigating the storm without a life raft.
In this high-stakes political landscape, the departure of Bolton’s security detail illustrates one potent lesson—loyalty in politics can be a one-way street. As he manages threats from both foreign adversaries and bitter relationships at home, one thing is abundantly clear: in the game of political chess, even former knights can end up on the chopping block.
