He just can’t seem to move on.
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton surrendered on Friday, facing allegations of mishandling classified materials during his time in President Trump’s administration. Notably, he was still seen with an official White House luggage tag in hand.
These blue and white tags bear the presidential seal and are meant to ensure White House personnel’s belongings are sent to the right hotel room when traveling internationally.
“Is there anything this guy hasn’t continued to use since leaving the White House?” a past colleague commented to the Post, referring to a photo of the 76-year-old Bolton departing his Bethesda, Maryland home on Friday morning.
“Secret documents, baggage tags—what’s next?”
Another former National Security Council aide derided Bolton, who was indicted on 18 counts by a federal grand jury in Maryland just a day prior.
“Eight years from now, who will still be flaunting an Air Force One luggage tag from a president he disliked?” the aide quipped.
Bolton, dismissed by Trump in September 2019, has since become a vocal critic, suggesting Trump leveraged Bolton’s reputation as a “warmonger” in international discussions, despite believing Trump to be “crazy.”
Opinions vary regarding the state of the tag that Bolton has kept over the years.
One ex-NSC staffer described it as a “crude laminated luggage tag” and speculated that Bolton “might have done that” for reasons of thrift, adding, “It’s certainly odd.”
Conversely, another former official noted that many past officials hold onto their tags for their durability.
“I think my tag is still attached to my backpack,” this source mentioned, while another added that the tag serves as a kind of keepsake.
Bolton entered a not guilty plea to the charges in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Friday and was released on his own recognizance. The case’s next hearing is set for November 21st.
