President Donald Trump defended National Security Advisor John Bolton on Thursday, despite reports that the president was unhappy with how things turned out in Venezuela.
Trump said that Bolton was “very good” and that he appreciated his advice, adding lightly that Bolton was a hawk on foreign interventionism but that he kept him in check.
“John’s very good, John has strong views on things, but that’s ok, I actually temper John which is pretty amazing isn’t it?” he said at the White House to reporters. “Nobody thought that was gonna [happen.]”
The Washington Post cited White House sources on Wednesday saying that Trump was frustrated with Bolton as the unresolved conflict in Venezuela continues. Other critics suggest that Bolton is to blame for a tougher position on Iran that might lead to more military conflict.
But Trump told reporters that he continued to have faith in Bolton’s advice.
“I have different sides, I have John Bolton and I have other people that are a little more dovish than him and ultimately I make the decision,” Trump said. “I like John and I get very good advice from John.”
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