In a significant move hours after taking office, President Donald Trump has revoked the Secret Service protection for former national security adviser John Bolton. Bolton confirmed this decision, expressing his disappointment, stating, “I am disappointed but not surprised that President Trump has decided to terminate the protection previously provided by the United States Secret Service,” according to CNN.

This marks the second time Trump has stripped Bolton of this protection. Initially, after Bolton's departure from the administration in 2019, Trump had rescinded it, but former President Joe Biden reinstated it in 2021 due to ongoing threats from Iran, a situation that has escalated following Iran's attempts to hire hit men to target Bolton in retaliation for U.S. actions, such as the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Bolton noted that “the threat remains today,” referencing ongoing dangerous plots against his life, which included an assassination attempt linked to his former role. The Department of Justice had charged an Iranian national in 2022 for a murder-for-hire scheme aimed at Bolton, revealing a tense backdrop of international relations impacting domestic politics, as detailed in Newsweek.

In a statement, Bolton highlighted the contrasting decisions of the two presidents, citing Biden’s willingness to extend his protection despite their differences: “Notwithstanding my criticisms of President Biden’s national-security policies, he nonetheless made the decision to extend that protection to me in 2021.”

Trump’s decision to halt Bolton’s Secret Service detail follows a broader pattern of revoking clearances and protection for former officials whom he perceives as critics. Trump's recent executive orders also targeted dozens of others, reflecting an ongoing strain within U.S. politics and national security apparatus.CBS News reported similar sentiments from Bolton, illustrating the division in these two administrations regarding national security measures and prioritization of personal safety amid existing threats.

As this contentious story unfolds, Bolton remains in the spotlight for his hawkish stance on Iran and vocal criticism of Trump's leadership, remarking on how “the American people can judge for themselves which President made the right call,” a statement shared across various platforms including USA Today and documented extensively in his memoirs.

This breaking news is likely a developing story as former officials and politicians navigate the complex landscape of security, political criticism, and international threats.