Excerpts from former national security adviser John Bolton’s unpublished memoir manuscript were leaked to The New York Times and Democrats are demanding Bolton to testify at President Trump’s impeachment hearings.
The New York Times story claims Bolton writes President Trump was withholding security aid for Ukraine until the country launched an investigation into the Democrats, presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
It’s reported by The New York Times, “President Trump told his national security adviser in August that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine,” and following the story, House impeachment managers issued a statement.
The Hill reports:
“Senators should insist that Mr. Bolton be called as a witness, and provide his notes and other relevant documents. The Senate trial must seek the full truth and Mr. Bolton has vital information to provide,” the House managers said in a statement.
Democrats commented on social media demanding Bolton to testify.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
John Bolton has the evidence.
It’s up to four Senate Republicans to ensure that John Bolton, Mick Mulvaney, and the others with direct knowledge of President Trump’s actions testify in the Senate trial.https://t.co/JbazBaYdRU
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 26, 2020
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Amb. Bolton reportedly heard directly from Trump that aid for Ukraine was tied to political investigations.
The refusal of the Senate to call for him, other relevant witnesses, and documents is now even more indefensible.
The choice is clear: our Constitution, or a cover-up. https://t.co/HBW82ObvOl
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 27, 2020
Alabama Senator Doug Jones tweeted, “If we can’t get Bolton let’s get a subpoena for the book!”
The Senate needs to hear from Bolton. The American people deserve to hear from Bolton. If we can’t get Bolton let’s get a subpoena for the book!#subpoenathebook#ImpartialJustice https://t.co/vDCVMORMtI
— Doug Jones (@DougJones) January 27, 2020
Last week, the Senate impeachment hearings began and this week, President Trump’s defense team will continue to make their arguments at the Senate trial.
The Senate heard the opening arguments that focused on the transcript of the phone call between President Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelensky on Saturday.
President Trump responded to The New York Times story on social media.
I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. In fact, he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination. If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book. With that being said, the…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 27, 2020
Bolton’s critics question the timing of The New York Times story and his book’s pre-order going live.
https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1221646196705378304?s=20
Is there anyone who hasn’t left the White House and backstabbed everyone they worked with to release a book for profit? This city and everyone in it is horrible.
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 27, 2020
The pathetic story of John Bolton:
– Begs for WH job
– Pushes for endless wars (Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq)
– Trump refused
– Gets fired
– Immediately sells cry-baby book about getting fired
– Leaks book to NYT to boost sales
– Contents of book *never* happened
– Only swamp cares— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 27, 2020
The demand by Democrats for witnesses to testify at the Senate trial can easily backfire.
In all likelihood, President Trump would exert executive privilege over Bolton and not allow him to testify because of national security concerns.
That would leave other witnesses to appear before the Senate including Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), as well as former Vice President Joe Biden and son Hunter.
