Bolton was accused of repeatedly withholding information from his superiors that contradicted his own goals. During his time as Under Secretary of State, colleagues said he would withhold information from Secretary of State Colin Powell and, later, Condoleezza Rice.
Abrupt communication style:
While serving as Ambassador to the United Nations, some colleagues appreciated his reform goals but found his abrasive style off-putting. The Economist called him "the most controversial ambassador ever sent by America to the United Nations".
Conflicts over foreign policy:
Bolton clashed with other members of the Trump administration over issues ranging from North Korea to Iran and the war in Afghanistan, with some citing his hawkish views as problematic.
High staff turnover:
Bolton's tenure as National Security Advisor coincided with an exceptionally high rate of turnover in the Trump White House. While not solely attributable to Bolton, reports suggest instability and a lack of coordinated leadership.
Allegations of retribution:
After leaving the Trump administration, Bolton became an outspoken critic of Trump, who in turn revoked Bolton's security clearance and Secret Service protection. Bolton described this as part of a "retribution presidency".
The Trump-Bolton Feud
The most prominent review of Bolton's performance is the one-sided critique from his former boss, Donald Trump.
The public disagreement began after Bolton's acrimonious exit from the White House and the publication of his memoir.
Trump has called Bolton "really dumb," a "loser," and "unpatriotic".
Trump pushed for an investigation into Bolton over the memoir, claiming it contained classified information.
Bolton has in turn criticized Trump as unfit for office and lacking the competence to be president.
