Bolton slams Trump’s counterterrorism pick as ‘conman’

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has sharply criticized Sebastian Gorka, the president-elect’s newly announced appointee to lead counterterrorism efforts, calling him a “conman” unfit for government service.

“I wouldn’t have him in any US government,” Bolton told CNN, expressing concern about the implications of Gorka’s appointment while noting relief that Gorka was not given a higher-ranking role.

Gorka, who briefly served as a deputy advisor during Donald Trump’s first term, was announced as senior director for counterterrorism earlier this week. Bolton alleged that Gorka’s selection reflects Trump’s preference for loyalty over qualifications. “I think he is a perfect example of somebody who owes his position purely to Donald Trump,” Bolton said.

This is not Bolton’s first critique of Trump’s personnel choices. He recently condemned the president-elect’s nomination of former congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general, calling it “the worst decision Trump has ever made.”

Gaetz, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, withdrew his nomination on November 21 following mounting controversy. The House Ethics Committee had investigated the allegations, but its findings remain undisclosed after congressional Republicans blocked the report’s release, drawing further criticism of Trump’s handling of accountability within his administration.