Challenges in the Life of John Bolton in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and John Bolton faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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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.