Background
Bolton was born on November 20, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Virginia Clara "Ginny" (née Godfrey), a housewife, and Edward Jackson "Jack" Bolton, a fireman. He grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Yale Heights.
John R. Bolton
8600 McDonogh Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117, USA
He won a scholarship to the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, graduating in 1966.
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
He attended Yale Law School from 1971 to 1974, where he shared classes with his friend Clarence Thomas, earning a J.D. in 1974.
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Bolton attended Yale University, earning a B.A. and graduating summa cum laude in 1970.
2005
Washington, DC., United States
John Bolton testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill April 11, 2005 in Washington, DC. The committee is hearing testimony from Bolton who has been nominated to be U.S. representative to the United Nations. (April 11, 2005 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images News)
2013
1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010, USA
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks during the 2013 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center on May 3, 2013 in Houston, Texas. More than 70,000 peope are expected to attend the NRA's 3-day annual meeting that features nearly 550 exhibitors, gun trade show and a political rally. The Show runs from May 3-5. (May 2, 2013 - Source: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America)
2014
3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
Former United States ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition spring leadership meeting at The Venetian Las Vegas on March 29, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Republican Jewish Coalition began its annual meeting wtih potential Republican presidential candidates in attendence, along with Republican super donor Sheldon Adelson. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are among the highlighted speakers. (March 28, 2014 - Source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)
2015
Nashua, New Hampshire, United States
Former Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks at the First in the Nation Republican Leadership Summit April 17, 2015 in Nashua, New Hampshire. The Summit brought together local and national Republicans and was attended by all the Republicans candidates as well as those eyeing a run for the nomination. (April 16, 2015 - Source: Darren McCollester/Getty Images North America)
2016
725 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA
John Bolton, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, waves as he leaves Trump Tower, December 2, 2016 in New York City. President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration. (Dec. 1, 2016 - Source: Drew Angerer/Getty Images North America)
2016
1 Center Ct, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Former ambassador John Bolton sits down to talk with Andrew Wilkow on his show "The Wilkow Majority" at Quicken Loans Arena on July 20, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (July 19, 2016 - Source: Kirk Irwin/Getty Images North America)
2017
Washington, D.C., United States
(L-R) U.S. Ambassador to United Nations John Bolton, Dore Gold President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Michael Koplow Policy Director at the Israel Policy Forum and Dr. Eugene Kontorovich, professor of law at Northwestern University attend the National Oversight and Government Reform Committee on moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem on Capitol Hill on November 8, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Nov. 7, 2017 - Source: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America)
2017
Washington, D.C., United States
US Ambassador to United Nations John Bolton speaks at the National Oversight and Government Reform Committee on moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem on Capitol Hill on November 8, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Nov. 7, 2017 - Source: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America)
2018
New York City, New York, United States
Members of the American delegation, including (L-R) U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikky Haley, Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders arrive at the UN General Assembly to hear President Donald Trump's address on September 25, 2018 in New York City. World leaders gathered for the 73rd annual meeting at the UN headquarters in Manhattan. (Sept. 24, 2018 - Source: John Moore/Getty Images North America)
2018
Washington, DC., United States
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks at a Federalist Society luncheon September 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. During his remarks, Bolton announced the United States will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court, and that the Trump administration intends to close the P.L.O. Mission in Washington, DC. (Sept. 9, 2018 - Source: Win McNamee/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
US President Donald Trump speaks next to National Security Advisor John Bolton, he meets with the Emir of Kuwait Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during an expanded bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on September 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Sept. 4, 2018 - Source: Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
(L-R), Top administration security officials, (L-R), U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Secretary of Homeland Security is Kirstjen Nielsen, and Commander, U.S. Cyber Command Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, walk into the White House briefing room to speak about election interference, on August 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Aug. 1, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
Top administration security officials, (L-R), U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, U.S. Cyber Command Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, brief the media on election interference, at the White House, on August 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Aug. 1, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
2018
Brussels, Belgium
U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by National Security Advisor John Bolton, speaks to the media at a press conference on the second day of the 2018 NATO Summit on July 12, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from NATO member and partner states are meeting for a two-day summit, which is being overshadowed by strong demands by U.S. President Trump for most NATO member countries to spend more on defense. (July 11, 2018 - Source: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe)
2018
Brussels, Belgium
U.S. President Donald Trump (C) speaks in between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and National Security Advisor John Bolton during a news conference at the 2018 NATO Summit at NATO headquarters on July 12, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from NATO member and partner states are meeting for a two-day summit, which is being overshadowed by strong demands by U.S. President Trump for most NATO member countries to spend more on defense. (July 11, 2018 - Source: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe)
2018
Brussels, Belgium
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2nd L), U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis (3rd L), National Security Advisor John Bolton (3rd R) and new British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (2nd R) attend the opening ceremony at the 2018 NATO Summit at NATO headquarters on July 11, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from NATO member and partner states are meeting for a two-day summit, which is being overshadowed by strong demands by U.S. President Trump for most NATO member countries to spend more on defense. (July 10, 2018 - Source: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe)
2018
Capella Hotel, Sentosa island
In this handout photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during their historic U.S.-DPRK summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island on June 12, 2018 in Singapore. U.S. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held the historic meeting between leaders of both countries on Tuesday morning in Singapore, carrying hopes to end decades of hostility and the threat of North Korea's nuclear program. (June 11, 2018 - Source: Handout/Getty Images AsiaPac)
2018
La Malbaie, Canada
US President Donald Trump (C) leaves with National Security Advisor John Bolton (R) after holding a press conference ahead of his early departure from the G7 Summit on June 9, 2018 in La Malbaie, Canada. Canada are hosting the leaders of the UK, Italy, the US, France, Germany and Japan for the two day summit, in the town of La Malbaie. (June 8, 2018 - Source: Leon Neal/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
(L-R) White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, National Security Advisor John Bolton, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence share a laugh before the start of a joint news conference with President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the Rose Garden at the White House June 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. Trump and Abe discussed the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit. (June 6, 2018 - Source: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
US President Donald Trump speaks as National security advisor John Bolton listens during a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in the Oval Office of the White House on May 22, 2018 in Washington DC. (May 21, 2018 - Source: Pool/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
White House National Security Advisor John Bolton (C) leaves the Rose Garden following a joint news conference with President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House April 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. The two leaders also met in the Oval Office to discuss a range of bilateral issues earlier in the day. (April 29, 2018 - Source: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America)
2018
Washington, D.C., United States
National Security Advisor John Bolton and his wife Gretchen arrive at the White House for a state dinner April 24, 2018 in Washington, DC . President Donald Trump is hosting French President Emmanuel Macron for the first state visit of his presidency. (April 23, 2018 - Source: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (C), walks with National Security Advisor John Bolton (L), and Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow toward Marine One before departing with U.S. President Donald Trump from the South Lawn of the White House on April 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. President Trump is traveling to Hialeah, Florida where he will participate in a small business roundtable discussion on tax cuts. (April 15, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (L) and National Security Advisor John Bolton listen to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump as he speaks to the nation, announcing military action against Syria for the recent apparent gas attack on its civilians, at the White House, on April 13, 2018, in Washington, DC. President Trump announced that a joint operation of "precision strikes" is underway in Syria with armed forces from the United Kingdom and France. (April 12, 2018 - Source: Pool/Getty Images North America)
2018
Washington, DC 20502, USA
U.S. President Donald Trump is flanked by National Security Advisor John Bolton as he speaks about the FBI raid at his lawyer Michael Cohen's office, while receiving a briefing from senior military leaders regarding Syria, in the Cabinet Room, on April 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. The FBI raided the office of Michael Cohen on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation into the president's administration. (April 8, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
2008
Oliver North presents Ambassador Bolton with the Defender of Freedom Award.
2009
(r.) Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton was given the 2009 Walter Judd Freedom Award on July 23. He is pictured here with (l.-r.) 2008 recipient Dr. Lee Edwards and TFAS President Roger Ream.
2005
Washington, DC., United States
John Bolton testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill April 11, 2005 in Washington, DC. The committee is hearing testimony from Bolton who has been nominated to be U.S. representative to the United Nations. (April 11, 2005 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images News)
2008
Oliver North presents Ambassador Bolton with the Defender of Freedom Award.
2009
(r.) Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton was given the 2009 Walter Judd Freedom Award on July 23. He is pictured here with (l.-r.) 2008 recipient Dr. Lee Edwards and TFAS President Roger Ream.
2013
1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010, USA
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks during the 2013 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center on May 3, 2013 in Houston, Texas. More than 70,000 peope are expected to attend the NRA's 3-day annual meeting that features nearly 550 exhibitors, gun trade show and a political rally. The Show runs from May 3-5. (May 2, 2013 - Source: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America)
2014
3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
Former United States ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition spring leadership meeting at The Venetian Las Vegas on March 29, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Republican Jewish Coalition began its annual meeting wtih potential Republican presidential candidates in attendence, along with Republican super donor Sheldon Adelson. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are among the highlighted speakers. (March 28, 2014 - Source: Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)
2015
Nashua, New Hampshire, United States
Former Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks at the First in the Nation Republican Leadership Summit April 17, 2015 in Nashua, New Hampshire. The Summit brought together local and national Republicans and was attended by all the Republicans candidates as well as those eyeing a run for the nomination. (April 16, 2015 - Source: Darren McCollester/Getty Images North America)
2016
725 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA
John Bolton, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, waves as he leaves Trump Tower, December 2, 2016 in New York City. President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration. (Dec. 1, 2016 - Source: Drew Angerer/Getty Images North America)
2016
1 Center Ct, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Former ambassador John Bolton sits down to talk with Andrew Wilkow on his show "The Wilkow Majority" at Quicken Loans Arena on July 20, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (July 19, 2016 - Source: Kirk Irwin/Getty Images North America)
2017
Washington, D.C., United States
(L-R) U.S. Ambassador to United Nations John Bolton, Dore Gold President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Michael Koplow Policy Director at the Israel Policy Forum and Dr. Eugene Kontorovich, professor of law at Northwestern University attend the National Oversight and Government Reform Committee on moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem on Capitol Hill on November 8, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Nov. 7, 2017 - Source: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America)
2017
Washington, D.C., United States
US Ambassador to United Nations John Bolton speaks at the National Oversight and Government Reform Committee on moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem on Capitol Hill on November 8, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Nov. 7, 2017 - Source: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America)
2018
New York City, New York, United States
Members of the American delegation, including (L-R) U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikky Haley, Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders arrive at the UN General Assembly to hear President Donald Trump's address on September 25, 2018 in New York City. World leaders gathered for the 73rd annual meeting at the UN headquarters in Manhattan. (Sept. 24, 2018 - Source: John Moore/Getty Images North America)
2018
Washington, DC., United States
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks at a Federalist Society luncheon September 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. During his remarks, Bolton announced the United States will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court, and that the Trump administration intends to close the P.L.O. Mission in Washington, DC. (Sept. 9, 2018 - Source: Win McNamee/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
US President Donald Trump speaks next to National Security Advisor John Bolton, he meets with the Emir of Kuwait Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during an expanded bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on September 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Sept. 4, 2018 - Source: Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
(L-R), Top administration security officials, (L-R), U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Secretary of Homeland Security is Kirstjen Nielsen, and Commander, U.S. Cyber Command Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, walk into the White House briefing room to speak about election interference, on August 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Aug. 1, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
Top administration security officials, (L-R), U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, U.S. Cyber Command Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, brief the media on election interference, at the White House, on August 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Aug. 1, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
2018
Brussels, Belgium
U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by National Security Advisor John Bolton, speaks to the media at a press conference on the second day of the 2018 NATO Summit on July 12, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from NATO member and partner states are meeting for a two-day summit, which is being overshadowed by strong demands by U.S. President Trump for most NATO member countries to spend more on defense. (July 11, 2018 - Source: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe)
2018
Brussels, Belgium
U.S. President Donald Trump (C) speaks in between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and National Security Advisor John Bolton during a news conference at the 2018 NATO Summit at NATO headquarters on July 12, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from NATO member and partner states are meeting for a two-day summit, which is being overshadowed by strong demands by U.S. President Trump for most NATO member countries to spend more on defense. (July 11, 2018 - Source: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe)
2018
Brussels, Belgium
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2nd L), U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis (3rd L), National Security Advisor John Bolton (3rd R) and new British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (2nd R) attend the opening ceremony at the 2018 NATO Summit at NATO headquarters on July 11, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Leaders from NATO member and partner states are meeting for a two-day summit, which is being overshadowed by strong demands by U.S. President Trump for most NATO member countries to spend more on defense. (July 10, 2018 - Source: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe)
2018
Capella Hotel, Sentosa island
In this handout photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during their historic U.S.-DPRK summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island on June 12, 2018 in Singapore. U.S. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held the historic meeting between leaders of both countries on Tuesday morning in Singapore, carrying hopes to end decades of hostility and the threat of North Korea's nuclear program. (June 11, 2018 - Source: Handout/Getty Images AsiaPac)
2018
La Malbaie, Canada
US President Donald Trump (C) leaves with National Security Advisor John Bolton (R) after holding a press conference ahead of his early departure from the G7 Summit on June 9, 2018 in La Malbaie, Canada. Canada are hosting the leaders of the UK, Italy, the US, France, Germany and Japan for the two day summit, in the town of La Malbaie. (June 8, 2018 - Source: Leon Neal/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
(L-R) White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, National Security Advisor John Bolton, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence share a laugh before the start of a joint news conference with President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the Rose Garden at the White House June 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. Trump and Abe discussed the upcoming U.S.-North Korea summit. (June 6, 2018 - Source: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
US President Donald Trump speaks as National security advisor John Bolton listens during a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, in the Oval Office of the White House on May 22, 2018 in Washington DC. (May 21, 2018 - Source: Pool/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
White House National Security Advisor John Bolton (C) leaves the Rose Garden following a joint news conference with President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House April 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. The two leaders also met in the Oval Office to discuss a range of bilateral issues earlier in the day. (April 29, 2018 - Source: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America)
2018
Washington, D.C., United States
National Security Advisor John Bolton and his wife Gretchen arrive at the White House for a state dinner April 24, 2018 in Washington, DC . President Donald Trump is hosting French President Emmanuel Macron for the first state visit of his presidency. (April 23, 2018 - Source: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
White House Chief of Staff John Kelly (C), walks with National Security Advisor John Bolton (L), and Economic Adviser Larry Kudlow toward Marine One before departing with U.S. President Donald Trump from the South Lawn of the White House on April 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. President Trump is traveling to Hialeah, Florida where he will participate in a small business roundtable discussion on tax cuts. (April 15, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
2018
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, USA
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (L) and National Security Advisor John Bolton listen to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump as he speaks to the nation, announcing military action against Syria for the recent apparent gas attack on its civilians, at the White House, on April 13, 2018, in Washington, DC. President Trump announced that a joint operation of "precision strikes" is underway in Syria with armed forces from the United Kingdom and France. (April 12, 2018 - Source: Pool/Getty Images North America)
2018
Washington, DC 20502, USA
U.S. President Donald Trump is flanked by National Security Advisor John Bolton as he speaks about the FBI raid at his lawyer Michael Cohen's office, while receiving a briefing from senior military leaders regarding Syria, in the Cabinet Room, on April 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. The FBI raided the office of Michael Cohen on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation into the president's administration. (April 8, 2018 - Source: Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America)
John R. Bolton
John R. Bolton
John R. Bolton
John R. Bolton
8600 McDonogh Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117, USA
He won a scholarship to the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, graduating in 1966.
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
He attended Yale Law School from 1971 to 1974, where he shared classes with his friend Clarence Thomas, earning a J.D. in 1974.
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Bolton attended Yale University, earning a B.A. and graduating summa cum laude in 1970.
George Walker Bush ,43rd President of the United States
Donald Trump
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W912MO/?tag=2022091-20
2007
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594034915/?tag=2022091-20
2010
Diplomat consultant lawyer official politician
Bolton was born on November 20, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Virginia Clara "Ginny" (née Godfrey), a housewife, and Edward Jackson "Jack" Bolton, a fireman. He grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Yale Heights.
John won a scholarship to the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, graduating in 1966. He also ran the school's Students For Goldwater campaign in 1964.
Bolton attended Yale University, earning a B.A. and graduating summa cum laude in 1970. He was a member of the Yale Political Union. He attended Yale Law School from 1971 to 1974, where he shared classes with his friend Clarence Thomas, earning a J.D. in 1974. In 1972, Bolton was a summer intern for Vice President Spiro Agnew.
Much of his subsequent career was spent in government jobs. A conservative Republican, he began his federal service in the administration of Pres. Ronald Reagan, holding positions in the U.S. Agency for International Development and as assistant attorney general (1985–89). From 1989 to 1993, under Pres. George H.W. Bush, he was assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs. During the 1990s Bolton was active in prominent conservative organizations, including the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), at which he was a vice president in 1997–2001, and the Project for the New American Century. He also was an official of the Republican National Committee.
In the administration of Pres. George W. Bush, Bolton was undersecretary of state for arms control and international security affairs. He supported a number of reversals of U.S. foreign policy positions, including retraction of support for the International Criminal Court and withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. Bolton ran the administration’s Proliferation Security Initiative, which attempted to broker bilateral agreements on arms control between the U.S. and partner countries, and in 2001 he succeeded in halting an international conference on biological weapons over verification issues. For a time he was a member of the U.S. delegation in talks with North Korea, but he was removed in 2003 after he made derogatory comments about that country’s leader.
On August 1, 2005, President Bush named Bolton as U.S. ambassador to the UN in a recess appointment (made while Congress was not in session). Bush had nominated Bolton for the UN post on March 7 of that year, but hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee were extraordinarily rancorous. When it became clear that the Republican-controlled Senate committee could not muster a majority in support of Bolton’s nomination, the nomination was sent to the full Senate without a recommendation. Two attempts to end a Democratic filibuster and bring the nomination to a vote then failed.
Although Bolton had supporters, particularly those who advocated a strong unilateral U.S. foreign policy and reform of the UN, there were equally fervent critics. Among the most serious charges against him were that he had consistently pursued his own notions of what U.S. diplomacy should be, even when his views were not consistent with U.S. government policy; that he had advocated an independent Taiwan despite a long-standing U.S. one-China policy; that he had pressured intelligence analysts to report findings that supported his own views and had attempted to have workers transferred or fired when they did not do so; and that he had given false testimony before Congress in 2003. Bolton commonly scorned the UN as well as international treaties and campaigned against a third term for International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei. Indeed, one of Bolton’s first actions at the UN was to demand major changes to the draft of a document for reform of the body.
Bolton’s recess appointment was due to expire at the conclusion of the 109th Congress (2005–06). As the Democratic Party had won majorities in both the House and Senate in the 2006 midterm elections, he stood virtually no chance of being confirmed for another term. Rather than force a vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bolton announced his resignation in December 2006.
After leaving office, Bolton resumed his work with conservative organizations, notably the AEI. He also became a Fox News consultant. During the 2012 presidential election, he served as an adviser to Mitt Romney. In March 2018 Pres. Donald Trump announced that Bolton was to replace Lieut. Gen. H.R. McMaster as head of the National Security Council. Bolton assumed the post, which does not require Senate confirmation, the following month.
John Bolton is a neoconservative who has held various jobs in the US government, including US Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He went down in history as a President George W. Bush's ambassador to the United Nations, and President Donald Trump's national security adviser.
He won the Zionist Organization of America's 2006 Defender of Israel Award – given to him for the role he played in undermining the "Zionism is Racism" declaration at the United Nations Anti-Racism conference in Durban, South Africa. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton was given the 2009 Walter Judd Freedom Award. He also was awarded the Defender of Freedom Award.
Bolton is a Lutheran.
A Republican, his political views have been described as American nationalist, conservative, and "neoconservative". Bolton rejects the last term and called himself "pro-American" instead. He declared himself in an interview with Edward Luce of the Financial Times in 2007 to be a "Goldwater conservative", as opposed to being a neoconservative. He also pointed out that he was a follower of Edmund Burke. He also said "I have always been a conservative. The idea of big-government conservatism has more neocon adherents than from unmodified conservatives."
Bolton is skeptical of international organizations and international law, believing them to endanger American sovereignty, and does not believe they have legitimate authority under the U.S. Constitution. He criticized the Obama administration's foreign policy for what he perceived as surrendering U.S. sovereignty. He also prefers unilateralism over multilateralism. In a 2000 article in the Chicago Journal of International Law, Bolton described himself as a "convinced Americanist", favoring it over what he described as "globalism". In his roles in the U.S. government, however, Bolton has been more pragmatic in his actions regarding international organizations.
Bolton has criticized the International Criminal Court, seeing it as a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
European Union. Bolton is a critic of the European Union. In his book Surrender Is Not an Option, he criticized the EU for pursuing "the endless process of diplomatic mastication" rather than satisfactorily solving problems, and he labeled the organization's diplomats as "EUroids". He has also criticized the EU for advancing what he considers liberal policies. Bolton campaigned in Ireland against further EU integration in 2008, and he criticized the Treaty of Lisbon for expanding EU powers. In 2016, Bolton praised the UK's referendum vote to leave the EU.
Libya. Bolton was an opponent of the deal that George W. Bush made with Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi to eliminate the country's weapons of mass destruction program. He was in a key role during initial negotiations but his role became limited over time. According to a 2005 study, Bolton was intentionally kept out of the loop, so that a final agreement could be reached: "Bolton reportedly was unaware of the December 19 WMD agreement until very shortly before its public announcement. And after initially being given a lead role in implementing it, he pushed so hard to backtrack from the agreement that the British convinced the Bush administration to restrict his involvement in the Libya matter." Bolton supported the NATO-led military intervention in Libya that toppled the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.
Iraq. Bolton supported (and still supports) the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein.
Israel. Bolton is known for his strong support for Israel. Bolton opposed the two-state solution of creating an independent Palestinian state alongside the existing state of Israel. Bolton supports moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in accordance with the Jerusalem Embassy Act, and he testified in front of Congress in 2017 on the matter.
North Korea and Iran. Bolton has advocated for pre-emptive strikes against North Korea and Iran. In 2008, Bolton said: "The idea here is not to have much larger hostilities, but to stop the Iranians from engaging in the hostilities that they're already doing against us inside Iraq. And they're doing much the same by aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan. So this is not provocative or preemptive, this is entirely responsive on our part." In 2018, Bolton stated: "Russia, China, Syria, Iran, North Korea. These are regimes that make agreements and lie about them. A national security policy that is based on the faith that regimes like that will honor their commitments is doomed to failure." He also said that "Our goal should be regime change in Iran."
Russia. In 2013, after NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden had been granted asylum in Russia, Bolton said: "I think in order to focus Putin's thinking, we need to do things that cause him pain as well. And while I know that not having a chance to have a bilateral meeting with his buddy Barack Obama will cause Putin to lose sleep, it's not damaging Russian interests."
Russian Senator Aleksey Pushkov, former chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said after Bolton's appointment: "Bolton, along with Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld, was an ardent supporter of the war in Iraq. A supporter of jihadists for the sake of overthrowing (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad). A great specialist in interventions and aggression, and adept at the use of force. McMaster is a general. Bolton is the ideologue of a new cold war, a convinced opponent of Russia."
In a June 2017 article entitled "Vladimir Putin looked Trump in the eye and lied to him. We negotiate with Russia at our peril," Bolton called Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections "a true act of war." As Trump's national security advisor in July 2018, Bolton referred to the investigation into the Russian interference as "the Russia witch hunt." — twelve days after the Special Counsel investigation indicted twelve Russian intelligence operatives for hacking during the 2016 presidential campaign.
China. Bolton criticized Washington's One-China policy, under which Taiwan is not recognized as an independent nation. He also said: "There's simply no excuse for the stealing of intellectual property, forced technology transfers it's sometimes called."
Quotations:
"Just as the Security Council was largely irrelevant to the great struggle of the last half of the twentieth century - freedom against Communism - so too it is largely on the sidelines in our contemporary struggles against international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."
"There's no such thing as the United Nations. If the U.N. secretary building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference."
"North Korea is going to get away with keeping its nuclear weapons."
"We estimate that once Iraq acquires fissile material - whether from a foreign source or by securing the materials to build an indigenous fissile material capability - it could fabricate a nuclear weapon within one year."
"I think some of this fascination with the 'Arab Spring' is just a grand experiment with Israel's survival."
"I don't do carrots."
"Negotiation is not a policy. It's a technique. It's something you use when it's to your advantage, and something that you don't use when it's not to your advantage."
"Well, I'm a libertarian conservative, so I believe in limited government/maximum individual freedom."
"When you have a regime that would be happier in the afterlife than in this life, this is not a regime that is subject to classic theories of deterrence."
"Politicians, like generals, have a tendency to fight the last war."
"It's not natural disasters that are to blame for the deprivation of the North Korean people, but the failed policies of Kim Jong II."
"I'm obviously aware that people are quite focused on the economy rather than foreign policy issues, but that is something that should and can be altered as people see the nature of the threats around the world that we face."
"Obviously, you make preparations before you engage in any meeting."
"Well, you could take several stories off the buildings of most U.S. government agencies and we'd all probably be better for it too."
"I've never attended any Tea Party functions."
He is a member of Knights of Malta and Le Cercle.
Physical Characteristics: Height - 5ft 9in (1.75 m)
John married his first wife Christine Bolton in 1972 and divorced her in 1983. John Bolton married Gretchen Smith Bolton and they both have a daughter named Jennifer Sarah Bolton.
(1924 - 1996)
He was a fireman.
(1920 - 2000)
(born July 6, 1946)
He is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009.
(born June 14, 1946)
He is the 45th and current President of the United States. Before entering politics, he was a businessman and television personality.
