Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John Bolton

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how John Bolton made an impact.

John Bolton is an American attorney, diplomat, Republican consultant, and political commentator. He is notable for serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006 and as the National Security Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Known for his hawkish foreign policy views, Bolton has been a prominent figure in Republican politics and a frequent commentator on international affairs.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1972: Summer Intern for Vice President Agnew

In 1972, John Bolton worked as a summer intern for Vice President Spiro Agnew, having been hired for the position by David Keene.

1974: Associate at Covington & Burling

From 1974 to 1981, John Bolton worked as an associate at the Washington, D.C. office of Covington & Burling.

1981: End of Associate at Covington & Burling

In 1981, John Bolton's position as associate at the Washington, D.C. office of Covington & Burling ended.

1983: Returned to Covington & Burling

From 1983 to 1985, John Bolton returned to the firm Covington & Burling.

1983: Executive Director Role

In 1983, John Bolton became executive director of the Committee on Resolutions in the Republican National Committee, a role he held until 1984.

1984: Executive Director Role

In 1984, John Bolton was executive director of the Committee on Resolutions in the Republican National Committee, a role he started in 1983.

1985: Assistant Attorney General

In 1985, John Bolton became a United States assistant attorney general for President Ronald Reagan, a position he held until 1989.

1985: End of second time with Covington & Burling

In 1985, John Bolton's second employment with Covington & Burling ended.

1989: Assistant Secretary of State

In 1989, John Bolton served in the State Department as the assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs until 1993.

1993: Partner in the Law Firm of Lerner, Reed, Bolton & McManus

From 1993 to 1999, John Bolton was a partner in the law firm of Lerner, Reed, Bolton & McManus.

1997: Senior VP at American Enterprise Institute

In 1997, John Bolton became the senior vice president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a conservative think tank.

1997: Assistant to James Baker & The Weekly Standard Contributor

In 1997, John Bolton started working as an assistant to James Baker and also became a contributor to The Weekly Standard, an American conservative opinion magazine.

1999: Left Law Firm of Lerner, Reed, Bolton & McManus

In 1999, John Bolton ended his partnership at the law firm of Lerner, Reed, Bolton & McManus.

2000: End of UN Envoy Role & Weekly Standard Contribution

In 2000, John Bolton finished his work as an assistant to James Baker as the UN Secretary-General envoy to the Western Sahara and ended his contribution to The Weekly Standard.

May 11, 2001: Sworn in as Under Secretary of State

On May 11, 2001, John Bolton was sworn in as the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. His key responsibility was the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

2001: Departure from American Enterprise Institute

In 2001, John Bolton left his position as senior vice president of the American Enterprise Institute.

2001: Under Secretary of State for Arms Control

In 2001, John Bolton served as the under secretary of state for arms control and international security affairs until 2005.

March 7, 2005: Nominated as United States Ambassador to the United Nations

On March 7, 2005, John Bolton was nominated to the post of United States Ambassador to the United Nations by President George W. Bush.

April 11, 2005: Senate Foreign Relations Committee reviewed qualifications

On April 11, 2005, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reviewed John Bolton's qualifications.

April 12, 2005: Senate panel focuses on allegations that Bolton pressured intelligence analysts

On April 12, 2005, a Senate panel addressed allegations that John Bolton pressured intelligence analysts. Former State Department intelligence chief Carl W. Ford Jr. called Bolton a "serial abuser" and accused him of abusing his power and authority. Ford also contradicted Bolton's previous testimony, stating that he had been asked to fire an intelligence analyst because of what they had said and done.

May 2005: Newsweek reports allegations that Bolton's absence undercut the American position at the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty Review Conference

In May 2005, Newsweek reported that the American position at the 7th Review Conference of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty had been undercut by John Bolton's absence during his nomination fight, according to anonymous sources.

May 26, 2005: Senate Democrats postpone vote on Bolton's UN nomination

On May 26, 2005, Senate Democrats postponed the vote on John Bolton's UN nomination due to the Republican leadership's failure to pass a cloture motion. Democrats claimed the Bush administration was withholding key documents related to Bolton's career at the Department of State.

June 20, 2005: Senate vote on cloture for Bolton's nomination fails

On June 20, 2005, the Senate voted on cloture for John Bolton's nomination, but it failed by six votes. Senator Voinovich switched his vote, urging President Bush to pick another nominee. Later, Voinovich recanted and stated that if Bolton were renominated, he would support the nomination.

July 28, 2005: Bolton statement to Senate revealed to be false

On July 28, 2005, it was revealed that John Bolton had made a false statement on forms submitted to the Senate. Bolton indicated that he hadn't been questioned in any investigation in the prior five years, but he had been interviewed by the State Department's Inspector General as part of an investigation into the sources of pre-war claims of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

August 1, 2005: Recess-appointed to UN Post

On August 1, 2005, John Bolton was recess-appointed to the post of United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

August 2005: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

In August 2005, John Bolton became the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, appointed by President George W. Bush.

February 2006: Voinovich expresses support for Bolton's performance as UN ambassador

In February 2006, Senator Voinovich expressed his support for John Bolton's performance as UN ambassador, stating that he spends a lot of time with Bolton on the phone and believes Bolton is working constructively to move forward.

July 27, 2006: New confirmation hearing held for Bolton's U.N. ambassadorship

On July 27, 2006, a new confirmation hearing was held for John Bolton's nomination as U.N. ambassador, aiming to complete the process before his recess appointment's expiration. Voinovich, who previously opposed Bolton, had changed his stance and believed that Bolton was doing a "good job" as UN ambassador.

November 9, 2006: Bush sent the nomination for Bolton to continue

On November 9, 2006, Bush sent the nomination for Bolton to continue as representative for the United States at the UN.

December 4, 2006: Bolton announces he will terminate his work as U.S. representative to the UN

On December 4, 2006, John Bolton announced that he would end his work as U.S. representative to the UN at the end of his recess appointment and would not seek confirmation. His resignation from the Bush administration was accepted on December 4, 2006.

December 5, 2006: Claudia Rosett defends Bolton in Wall Street Journal op-ed

On December 5, 2006, a Wall Street Journal op-ed by Claudia Rosett defended John Bolton, stating that Bolton has been valiant in his efforts to address UN corruption and deal with threats like a nuclear North Korea and Iran.

December 2006: Stepped down as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

In December 2006, John Bolton stepped down as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations at the end of his recess appointment.

2006: Return to American Enterprise Institute

In 2006, after leaving the George W. Bush Administration, John Bolton returned to the American Enterprise Institute as a Senior Fellow.

2006: Fox News Contributor and AEI Senior Fellow

Since 2006, John Bolton has been a paid contributor for Fox News and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

2008: Of Counsel at Kirkland & Ellis

From 2008 until his appointment as National Security Advisor in 2018, John Bolton was of counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis.

2008: Campaigning against EU Integration

In 2008, John Bolton campaigned in Ireland against further EU integration, and criticized the Treaty of Lisbon for expanding EU powers.

2010: Director, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies for AEI

From 2010, John Bolton served as Director, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies for the American Enterprise Institute (AEI).

December 31, 2010: Featured on National Review Cover

On December 31, 2010, John Bolton received attention in conservative circles and was featured on the cover of National Review magazine.

September 2011: Bolton Declines Presidential Run

In September 2011, John Bolton announced that he would not run for president in 2012.

January 2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney

In January 2012, John Bolton endorsed Mitt Romney for the 2012 Republican Nomination.

2012: Major Donor to John Bolton Super PAC

From 2012, Robert Mercer was a major donor to the John Bolton Super PAC, giving $4 million from 2012 to 2016.

2012: Considered Presidential Run

In 2012, John Bolton considered running for president in the U.S. presidential election.

2012: Foreign Policy Advisor

In 2012, John Bolton was a foreign policy advisor to Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

July 2013: Identified as Member of Groundswell

In July 2013, John Bolton was identified as a key member of Groundswell, a secretive coalition of right-wing activists and journalists.

2013: Chairman of Gatestone Institute

In 2013, John Bolton became chairman of the far-right anti-Muslim Gatestone Institute.

2013: Establishment of John Bolton Super PAC

In 2013, John Bolton established the John Bolton Super PAC to support Republican candidates.

2014: Contributor to The Weekly Standard

In 2014, John Bolton resumed being a contributor to The Weekly Standard magazine.

2014: Super PAC Spending in Elections

In 2014, the John Bolton Super PAC raised $11.3 million for Republican candidates and spent $5.6 million, including payments to Cambridge Analytica for voter data analysis.

2014: Payments to Cambridge Analytica

Since 2014, the Center for Public Integrity found that the John Bolton Super PAC paid Cambridge Analytica more than $1.1 million for "research" and "survey research".

September 2015: Senior Advisor at Freedom Capital Investment Management

In September 2015, Freedom Capital Investment Management appointed John Bolton as a senior advisor.

September 2016: Super PAC Spending on Burr's Reelection

In September 2016, John Bolton announced that his Super PAC would spend $1 million on Senator Richard Burr's reelection effort, targeting ads at social media users and Dish Network and Direct TV subscribers.

December 1, 2016: Bolton admits consideration as Secretary of State candidate for Trump administration

On December 1, 2016, John Bolton admitted he was being considered as a Secretary of State candidate for the incoming Trump administration on Fox News' Fox and Friends.

2016: End of Contribution to The Weekly Standard

In 2016, John Bolton ended his contribution to The Weekly Standard magazine.

2016: Praised UK's Vote to Leave the EU

In 2016, John Bolton praised the UK's referendum vote to leave the EU.

2016: Super PAC Spending in Presidential Election

In 2016, the John Bolton Super PAC spent around $2.5 million in support of Republican U.S. Senate candidates and paid Cambridge Analytica more than $811,000.

2016: Major Donor to John Bolton Super PAC

Until 2016, Robert Mercer was a major donor to the John Bolton Super PAC, giving $4 million from 2012 to 2016.

February 2017: Bolton interviewed for National Security Advisor position

In February 2017, President Trump interviewed John Bolton for the position of National Security Advisor, which was eventually given to H.R. McMaster.

2017: Reported Income from Fox News

In 2017, John Bolton reported an income of $569,000 from Fox News.

2017: Bolton's Reported Income

In 2017, the White House reported that Bolton's total income was $2.2 million, including $569,000 from Fox News and $747,000 in speaking fees.

January 2018: Advertising Campaign for Kevin Nicholson

In January 2018, John Bolton announced a $1 million advertising campaign in support of Kevin Nicholson's bid for the Republican nomination to run against Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

March 6, 2018: Bolton seen at the White House

On March 6, 2018, John Bolton was seen at the White House, presumably to be interviewed as a candidate for national security advisor.

March 2018: Departure from Gatestone Institute

In March 2018, John Bolton left his position as chairman of the Gatestone Institute.

March 2018: Appointment as National Security Advisor

In March 2018, after John Bolton was appointed National Security Advisor, the John Bolton Super PAC and the John Bolton PAC announced their political activities were suspended temporarily, effective March 31, 2018.

March 19, 2018: Super PAC Ad Campaign in Milwaukee

On March 19, 2018, the John Bolton Super PAC announced a two-week $278,000 television and radio ad campaign in the Milwaukee area.

March 22, 2018: Bolton to replace McMaster as National Security Advisor

On March 22, 2018, it was reported that John Bolton would replace H. R. McMaster as National Security Advisor, which was confirmed by Trump in a tweet.

March 31, 2018: Suspension of Political Activities

On March 31, 2018, the John Bolton Super PAC and the John Bolton PAC announced that their political activities were suspended temporarily, effective this date.

April 9, 2018: Bolton begins position as National Security Advisor

John Bolton began his position as National Security Advisor on April 9, 2018.

April 10, 2018: Bossert resigns, Bolton considers NSC merger

On April 10, 2018, Homeland Security Advisor Tom Bossert resigned at John Bolton's request. Bolton also considered merging the NSC with the Homeland Security Council. Nadia Schadlow also resigned on the same day.

April 2018: National Security Advisor

In April 2018, John Bolton became the National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump.

April 2018: Bolton presses Trump to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal

In April 2018, John Bolton pressed President Trump to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal.

May 8, 2018: Bolton removes Timothy Ziemer and dissolves Global Health Security team

On May 8, 2018, John Bolton removed Timothy Ziemer and dissolved his Global Health Security team formerly on the NSC, leaving the administration's preparation for and ability to respond to pandemics unclear.

September 10, 2018: Bolton criticizes the International Criminal Court in his first major address as National Security Advisor

On September 10, 2018, John Bolton criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC), stating it lacks checks and balances, exercises jurisdiction over crimes with disputed definitions, and has failed to deter atrocity crimes. He deemed the ICC a threat to "American sovereignty and U.S. national security."

September 2018: Bolton significantly shrinks the number of NSC personnel

In September 2018, CNN reported that John Bolton had significantly reduced the number of NSC personnel, cutting it to under 300.

2018: End of AEI Directorship

In 2018, John Bolton's tenure as Director, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies for the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) ended.

2018: End of time at Kirkland & Ellis

In 2018, John Bolton's time as of counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis ended.

January 2019: Advocated for a Hard Brexit

In January 2019, Axios reported that John Bolton continued to advocate for a hard Brexit as National Security Advisor.

March 2019: Criticized UK Political Class for Brexit Implementation

In a March 2019 interview with Sky News, John Bolton criticized the UK "political class" for not implementing the Brexit vote.

August 2019: Bolton's Book Reveals Trump's Stance on Ukraine Aid

In August 2019, according to The New York Times, Bolton wrote in his forthcoming book that President Trump said he wanted to continue freezing Ukraine aid until investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens, were pursued.

September 10, 2019: Conflicting accounts emerge regarding Bolton's departure from the White House

On September 10, 2019, President Trump claimed he had told Bolton his services were no longer needed and that Bolton resigned. Bolton contradicted Trump, stating he had offered to resign on September 9. The White House endorsed Trump's account. Bolton later told the media Trump "never asked" for his resignation "directly or indirectly", and that he had both offered to resign and actually resigned of his own accord.

September 2019: Bolton left position as National Security Advisor

In September 2019, John Bolton left his position as National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump.

November 7, 2019: Refusal to Testify in Trump Impeachment Inquiry

On November 7, 2019, John Bolton refused to attend his scheduled deposition in the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump and threatened legal action if subpoenaed, stating he would only testify if a federal court ruled on a lawsuit by his former deputy.

December 2019: Submission of Book for Security Review

In December 2019, John Bolton submitted his book, The Room Where It Happened, for security review.

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir

Check it on Amazon

January 6, 2020: Bolton Announces Willingness to Testify

On January 6, 2020, John Bolton announced in a written statement obtained by NBC News that he would testify during the Senate impeachment trial if subpoenaed, requiring a 51-vote majority from the Senate to obtain the subpoena.

January 28, 2020: Bolton's Claims Dismissed as Inadmissible

On January 28, 2020, Trump's impeachment lawyer, Jay Sekulow, dismissed Bolton's claims from his leaked book contents as "inadmissible" before the Senate, while Democratic trial manager Adam Schiff remarked that Sekulow's assertion validated the argument that Bolton should be called to testify.

June 16, 2020: Trump Justice Department Attempts to Block Publication of Memoir

On June 16, 2020, the Trump Justice Department attempted to block publication of Bolton's memoir, The Room Where It Happened, seeking to confiscate Bolton's $2 million advance for breach of contract.

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir

Check it on Amazon

2020: White House Slow-Walking Book Review Process

In 2020, it was asserted that the White House was slow-walking the review process of Bolton's book to prevent its release during the election campaign, with Trump claiming the book contained classified information but also characterizing it as fiction.

June 2021: Justice Department Drops Criminal Inquiry

In June 2021, the Justice Department dropped its criminal inquiry of Bolton and moved to end efforts to confiscate proceeds from his book.

2023: Criticism of Trump in Memoirs

In a 2023 edition of his memoirs, Bolton criticizes Trump as a man who punishes "personal enemies and appease[s] adversaries Russia and China".

2024: Potential Presidential Run

In 2024, John Bolton had openly considered the idea of running for president in the United States presidential election to secure the Republican nomination against Donald Trump, though this was widely ridiculed.

January 20, 2025: Protective detail rescinded

On January 20, 2025, after President Trump returned to office, the United States Secret Service protective detail that had been granted to John Bolton in response to the Iranian murder plot was rescinded.