Trump Reacts to FBI Raid on John Bolton's Home

Trump's Initial Reaction to Bolton Raid

• 🎙️ President Trump stated he was unaware of the FBI raid on John Bolton's home, having only seen it on television.
• 🗣️ He described Bolton as a "low life" and "not a smart guy," suggesting Bolton could be "unpatriotic."
• 🎯 Trump claimed Bolton served a purpose during his presidency by being a "hawk hawk" who wanted to "kill people," but noted Bolton was generally quiet except when criticizing Trump.

Hewitt's Analysis of the Raid

• ⚖️ Hugh Hewitt confirmed President Trump was not informed of, nor did he approve, the raid.
• 📄 Hewitt expressed surprise if Bolton had classified documents, suggesting a potential violation of the Foreign Agent Registration Act might be more likely.
• 🏛️ He emphasized that Bolton is a "hell of a lawyer" and a former head of the DOJ's civil division, implying he would be well-versed in legal matters.

Political Optics and Motivations

• 💥 The discussion touched on the inevitable questions about the "weaponization" of government agencies.
• 🔍 Hewitt argued that the raid's bad optics make a political motivation unlikely, suggesting that if the goal were to improve Trump's standing, the raid would have been waved off.
• 🚨 He posited that such a stringent application of the law on a high-profile individual like Bolton could serve as a signal to others within the Beltway to ensure compliance with regulations regarding classified documents or foreign agent registration.

Bolton's Past Statements and Legal Standing

• 📝 It was mentioned that Bolton had previously suggested he was on a "retribution list" about 12 days prior to the raid.
• 📚 Hewitt noted Bolton's detailed book about his UN service and his photographic memory, contrasting this with the alleged actions of others regarding classified documents.
• 🧐 Hewitt advised waiting for more information before drawing conclusions, emphasizing that Bolton is a skilled lawyer.