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Donald Trump’s revenge arc has begun: John Bolton, the president’s former national security adviser from his first term, had his security clearance revoked as one of Trump’s first moves in the White House. Bolton, who wrote the memoir The Room Where It Happened, sharply criticized the president in his book, causing outrage from Trump at the time. “The memoir’s reckless treatment of sensitive information undermined the ability of future presidents to request and obtain candid advice on matters of national security from their staff,” said an executive order that Trump issued revoking the order. “Publication also created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed.” Trump has offered his fair share of insults at Bolton, tweeting in 2020: “John Bolton was one of the dumbest people in government that I’ve had the ‘pleasure’ to work with. A sullen, dull and quiet guy, he added nothing to National Security except, ‘Gee, let’s go to war.’ Also, illegally released much Classified Information. A real dope!“ Trump also reportedly passed on offering him a Cabinet position at one point due to his mustache. “Bolton’s mustache is a problem. Trump doesn’t think he looks the part,” Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, reportedly said at the time. “You know Bolton is an acquired taste.”
