John Bolton on his new book 'The Room Where it Happened' - FULL INTERVIEW | USA TODAY

John Bolton, the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, talks with USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief Susan Page about his new book, "The Room Where It Happened."

Bolton has gained national attention for his criticism of Donald Trump after spending nearly a year and half as the president's top adviser on national security. Bolton continues his criticism and recounts for USA TODAY some instances in which he questioned Trump's acumen, intelligence and dedication to issues of national security. Susan Page asks Bolton about the impeachment efforts led by House Democratic Party leadership, to which Bolton responds that he would have convicted Trump on Ukraine. But Bolton is not interested in supporting Joe Biden, or any other Democratic candidates in 2020. He plans to write-in a conservative of his own choosing.

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[restybal]

I did not go along with Bolton's politics or his hawkish foreign policy but in this interview, he comes across as honest and truthful.

[garyrikard]

I can respect your viewpoints and analysis of the situation. I believe you Mr. Bolton.

[sethmaki]

"My plan is to hope for a miracle." Sounds like a fantastic plan. How truly Republican.

[mocmocgueye]

Everybody is working for Trump to have a book to write.

[pierremoreau]

I have never felt comfortable with Bolton's approach to policy, but this a very intelligent and thorough interview. He is obviously a smart guy and an eloquent speaker who clearly conveys his opinions and values. Thanks for this.

[TeddyStrongBear]

“Who ever hired John Bolton should be fired.” — quoted by John Bolton, 06/2020

[emadabz]

Bolton is a great example of a wolf in sheep clothing .

[cherylramsden]

Thank you for providing an uninterrupted discussion of this important and timely topic.

[bschilke]

I would love to read it but I’m so disgusted by Bolton so NO

[mirstudio]

Why didn’t you speak out when the Nation needed you? Oh, that’s simple, money

[exonelresearch]

Bolton:- The Room Where It Happened.
Clinton:- What Happened?
Trump:- The Art of the Grift.

[gustavoorozco]

Bolton would sell his soul to the devil for fame

[summertimes]

How could Trump always end up hating the people he hires?

[flawedhypothesis]

Isn't it funny how he's on absolutely every network doing interviews now except Fox News? Before he cashed in you wouldn't have caught him dead on a network that wasn't Fox.

[Mayachy]

I read the book, which content is quite well organized and presented and my observation are the following.
1. Bolton actually presents Trump in better light, than what we can observe from Trump’s everyday behaviour through his tweets, interviews, statements and surrogates. He makes him sound intelligible.
2. Bolton makes himself grandiose by subtly describing his role in executive branch. At certain parts of the book, I felt that it was Bolton that was running the country by manipulating Trump and his inner circle.
3. It was depressing to read Bolton’s view on United States allies. His view is that Europeans are pansies. In general, his view of other world leaders is quite black and white. The nuances to characters are missing.
4. I understand realpolitik, but his view on human loss is chilling. In a book there is a part describing hypothetical loss of life of 150 people. (Iranian) and his reasoning is cold and analytical. Also, after a failed meeting between N. Korea and USA, Kim Jong-Un had one of his advisors murdered and two persons imprisoned, possibly tortured. Bolton just shrugs it off.
5. While all wars are ultimately about money (or resources) it was abhorrent to read that USA wants to charge money to foreign countries – allies such as Japan, S. Korea, Germany, Poland, Saudi – and calculation is cost + 50% profit, for their interventions, their military bases…etc.
There are many more things I could write about, but suffice to say – Mr. Bolton is no hero for bringing us this insider view of bubbling idiocy that is D. Trump. If anything, I found him to be cold, calculating and manipulative.

[RuggerDez]

I read Bolton’s book. It is his first-hand account of what he saw and thought while at the WH. His worldview prevails thru his writing however not once did he attack Trump’s character. He simply described what he saw and experienced.

[renoesmaeilian]

He knew all of this and chose to say nothing!

[l.kurdistani]

I hope Americans can draw their conclusion after what Bolton has framed as inconsistencies of policies and behavior of a president.

[franciscomarmolejo]

I'm sorry I don't "believe" his excuse for why he didn't testify. If he would have testified then he was afraid no one would buy his book. 💩

[beckhaleen]

The expert that is ok to gave 5 billion in cash to iran. Very smart !!!