Bolton: "Trump's Visit to North Korea After Inauguration Would Not Be Surprising... Second Term Would Also Not Be Normal"

Interview with Japan's Yomiuri
Pessimistic outlook on 2nd term foreign and security policy
"Unpredictability remains a risk"
"2nd term will be greatly influenced by Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un"

John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Advisor who played a key role during the "Trump first administration," said, "It would not be surprising at all if (President-elect Trump) becomes the first U.S. president to visit Pyongyang, North Korea, as soon as his second term begins."

John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Advisor at the White House Yonhap News

In an interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun released on the 9th, Bolton said, "There is a risk of 'unpredictability' with President-elect Trump."

Bolton added, "President-elect Trump believes that if he personally has a good relationship with a foreign head of state, then the country itself has a good relationship, but that is different from reality," and gave a negative outlook, saying, "Just like the first term, the second term will not be a proper presidency."

Regarding the newly formed cabinet and officials, Bolton said, "The newly appointed senior officials will have to give the correct answer to the question, 'Do you think the 2020 election was stolen?'" He added, "Many people who would normally be suitable for senior positions will not join the new administration." He continued, "Loyalty to Trump means carrying out my orders without considering the results," and expressed concern, saying, "To stop this, the power of Congress is needed, but if it cannot be overturned, isolationist policies will be pursued."

Bolton also mentioned former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the leader who had the greatest influence on President-elect Trump during his first term, saying, "Those who seem likely to influence the current Trump are rather those who are hostile," and added, "I wonder if Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un have learned how to extract what they want from first-term Trump."

Bolton resigned from his position in September 2019 after conflicts with President-elect Trump while working in the Trump first administration. Since then, he has strongly criticized President-elect Trump's foreign and security policies.