In a controversial decision, President Donald Trump terminated the Secret Service protection of his former national security adviser, John Bolton, within hours of resuming office. Bolton, who has faced serious threats from Iran, expressed disappointment over the termination but indicated that it was not unexpected. "Notwithstanding my criticisms of President Biden's national security policies, he nonetheless made the decision to extend that protection to me in 2021," Bolton stated in a post on The Hill.

Bolton has been a vocal critic of Trump, particularly after he was dismissed from his role in September 2019. He pointed out that the Iran situation remains dire, emphasizing the ongoing threats against him: "The Justice Department filed criminal charges against an Iranian Revolutionary Guard official in 2022 for attempting to hire a hit man to target me. That threat remains today," he added, highlighting the serious nature of the Iranian assassination plot on his life. In a similar case, the Justice Department had previously charged a member of Tehran's elite Revolutionary Guard with plotting against him.

Trump justified his decision by stating, "We’re not going to have security on people for the rest of their lives. Why should we?" He remarked that Bolton's presence during meetings had created an image of him as a "warmonger," which Trump believed worked to his advantage. Furthermore, Trump revoked Bolton's security clearance, citing concerns over sensitive information disclosed in Bolton's 2020 memoir. Bolton responded to Trump's remarks, emphasizing the importance of national security amidst these threats, saying, “The American people can judge for themselves which President made the right call,” according to Reuters.

The former national security adviser had his Secret Service detail reinstated by President Biden in 2021 after it was initially removed by Trump after Bolton's dismissal, as detailed in a report by ABC News.

As this situation continues to develop, both Bolton and Trump remain at odds, with implications for national security at play. For further details, visit CNN.