Former National Security Adviser John Bolton announced Wednesday that President-elect Trump's nominees for Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and Attorney General, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R-Hawaii) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), states) should not participate in the presidential election. He must not appear at his Senate confirmation hearing until he is investigated by the FBI.
Bolton said in an interview on NewsNation's “The Hill” that a formal investigation would send a message to China that the United States takes its national security seriously.
“I don't think either she or Matt Gaetz should have confirmation hearings until there's a full-scale FBI investigation on both sides,” Bolton told anchor Blake Berman. “Then the Chinese will say, 'Maybe they're serious.'”
When Mr. Berman asked whether Mr. Bolton wanted an investigation into Ms. Gabbard, Ms. Bolton replied, “I think so,'' adding, “Given the Russian propaganda that she has espoused over the past period, she is… “I think it's a serious threat to our country,” he added. National security. ”
In the interview, Bolton harshly criticized Trump's choices for the post, calling Gabbard and Gaetz two of the worst cabinet appointments in recent history.
Asked about the message President Trump was trying to send to China, Bolton said, “By announcing Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, he is sending a signal that we have lost our minds when it comes to intelligence gathering. “There is,” he said.
“A few hours ago, I would have said this is the worst cabinet appointment in recent U.S. history. Of course, since Matt Gaetz was nominated, he's clearly leading on that score.”
Bolton expressed concern about the message Gabbard's nomination sends to China.
“This does not show that the administration is serious about intelligence, which is one of the most important aspects of dealing with threats like China.”
Bolton recalled an interview Gabbard gave in January 2020 after Congress was briefed on the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, ordered by President Trump.
Bolton said Gabbard said in a 2020 interview that she was “concerned about the illegal and unconstitutional acts of war being carried out at the direction of President Trump.”
Mr Bolton asked: “So someone like that is going to be put in charge of our entire intelligence community?”
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