[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] John Bolton, former White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor who was once a close aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump but later became his 'sharpshooter' after their relationship soured, announced that he is considering running himself to block Trump's 2024 presidential bid.
On the 5th (local time), Bolton appeared on NBC News' "Meet the Press Now" and said, "I want to make the people of this country clearly think that Trump cannot be accepted as the Republican candidate," adding that he will definitely consider running.
Bolton criticized Trump's recent claim that he might overturn the Constitution to reverse the "2020 election fraud," saying that challenging the Constitution itself is un-American. He described this as "an existential threat to the republic (the United States) itself."
Bolton's remarks are interpreted not so much as a direct indication that he will run himself, but rather as an emphasis on the need to block Trump's candidacy. In an interview with The Guardian on the 26th of last month, he referred to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is emerging as the next Republican presidential contender, as the "next-generation candidate."
In the interview with NBC, Bolton said, "If Trump takes the presidential oath again, he might lie about or completely avoid mentioning the duty to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution," adding, "This approach is unacceptable. It is the foundation of the republic."
He also urged all Republican primary candidates to reject Trump's statements, pointing out that to become a presidential candidate, they must not only declare support for the Constitution but also oppose those who seek to undermine it. He added, "(Most Republicans) do not agree that Trump is more important than the Constitution."
Bolton, who practically oversaw foreign and security policies in the early days of the Trump administration, parted ways with Trump and was effectively dismissed from his position. Since then, he has criticized Trump's foreign and security policies through memoirs and interviews.
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