John Bolton didn’t hesitate when asked to describe Donald Trump’s sinister mugshot, which was released after the former president was indicted Thursday in the Georgia election interference case.
“He could have smiled. He could have looked harmless,” Bolton said on CNN. “Instead, he looks like a criminal.”
Bolton, who served as national security adviser under Trump, said the image was likely carefully staged since most things revolve around Trump.
“I think it’s meant to be a sign of intimidation towards prosecutors and judges,” he said.
Bolton also spoke out harshly for most other Republicans running for president after six out of eight participants in Wednesday night’s debate said they would support Trump if he wins the primary, even if he is convicted.
“I think there were six wrong answers and two right answers,” Bolton said. “You can’t believe in a law-and-order philosophy and say it applies to everyone but Donald Trump.”
He added, “In any sane society, someone who is a convicted felon should resign.”
Bolton said the Republican National Committee should have a rule forcing a convicted candidate from running.
Like many others who have served under Trump, Bolton published an investigative book disparaging his former boss and made regular media appearances speaking out against the ex-president.
Trump hit back by calling him a “liar,” an “idiot,” and a “sick puppy.”
Bolton has said in the past that he voted for Trump in 2016 but not in 2020, writing on behalf of a Conservative candidate instead. He added that if Trump were the Republican nominee, he would do the same next year.
The full conversation is below:
