Unfiltered as ever, John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President-elect Donald Trump, criticized the choice to reappoint the controversial political analyst Seb Gorka to the position of senior director for counterterrorism.
During an interview with CNN’s The Source host Kaitlan Collins on Friday evening, Bolton—who has emerged as a staunch critic of Trump after a brief tenure in the administration—described Gorka as a “con man” lacking substantial qualifications.
“I wouldn’t want him in any role within the U.S. government,” Bolton remarked. “Having someone like that as the senior director of the NSC is unlikely to positively impact our counterterrorism initiatives.”
When Collins inquired why he labeled Gorka a “con man,” the ex-Trump advisor stated, “He requires a comprehensive FBI background check concerning his educational assertions and similar matters.”
Bolton asserted that Gorka exemplifies an individual whose position is entirely due to Donald Trump.
“He demonstrates fealty rather than loyalty, which is precisely what Trump seeks. Trump isn’t interested in Gorka’s opinions; he wants Gorka to affirm, ‘Yes sir,’” Bolton explained. “I’m entirely convinced that this dynamic will persist regardless of what Trump articulates.”
Gorka has faced accusations of Islamophobia. As the former national security affairs editor for Breitbart News, he previously claimed that violence is a “fundamental” aspect of Muslim life. His self-proclaimed credentials in Islamic extremism and jihadism were pivotal in securing a position within Trump’s initial administration.
However, Gorka soon faced scrutiny regarding his credentials. It surfaced that two individuals who had allegedly endorsed his PhD were not academics, while the last supporter was a far-right Hungarian Member of the European Parliament connected to Gorka’s family.
“It’s not remotely what I would consider legitimate scholarship,” one academic remarked about Gorka’s thesis to CNN. “It doesn’t utilize evidence that meets even the most basic methodological standards for a PhD in the United States.”
In conversations with the outlet, additional experts highlighted Gorka’s lack of knowledge regarding the Middle East, noting that he doesn’t speak Arabic, hasn’t traveled extensively in the region, and had not held a military or intelligence position before his appointment at the White House.
