John Bolton, the former national security adviser, has shown interest in challenging President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race.
Bolton disclosed the likely move during an appearance on “Meet the Press” on NBC News on Monday.
During the interview, Bolton responded to Trump’s remarks on the Friday release of the “Twitter Files” by new CEO Elon Musk.
Trump said that the extent of electoral influence uncovered between Twitter executives and “the Biden team” should be sufficient to “overturn” the outcome of the 2020 election.
Bolton took aim at his former employer over the idea, paving the way for the entrance of Trump’s first competitor in the Republican primary campaign.
If no other possible Republican candidates make “Shermanesque statements” in reaction to Trump’s comments, Bolton stated, “I’m going to seriously consider getting in.”
BREAKING: Fmr. Nat’l Security Adviser John Bolton is considering a 2024 presidential run if it would prevent fmr. President Trump from taking office again.
Bolton: “You can’t simply say, ‘I support the Constitution.’ You have to say, ‘I would oppose people who undercut it.’” pic.twitter.com/Twy8pluMYT
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) December 5, 2022
Bolton, who is known for his strong views on foreign policy, served in the Reagan administration and as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under George W. Bush.
Later, he served as Trump’s national security advisor from April 2018 to September 2019, when Trump fired him for foreign policy conflicts.
Bolton told ABC News during the summer preceding the 2020 election that he would not vote for Trump.
Bolton asserted that Trump was unfit for administration and declared that he would “find a conservative Republican to write in.”
Trump has also been critical of Bolton.
After Bolton attacked Trump for purportedly pondering martial rule to change the outcome of the 2020 election, he labeled him “one of the dumbest people in Washington.”
According to The Hill, Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota) told reporters on Monday that he disagrees with Trump’s stance and that the remarks create a “golden opportunity” for possible rivals.
At least one Republican who has contemplated a 2024 candidacy, former Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ), has come out against Trump over the notion.
“It should not be hard to say that the 2020 election is over,” he said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”
“I think to be a presidential candidate you can’t just say, ‘I support the Constitution,’” Bolton said in his interview with NBC.
“You have to say, ‘I would oppose people who would undercut it.’”