John R. Bolton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John R. Bolton
|
|
---|---|
![]() |
|
27th United States National Security Advisor | |
In office April 9, 2018 – September 10, 2019 |
|
President | Donald Trump |
Deputy | Nadia Schadlow Ricky L. Waddell Mira Ricardel Charles Kupperman |
Preceded by | H.R. McMaster |
Succeeded by | Charles Kupperman (acting) |
25th United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
In office August 2, 2005 – December 31, 2006 |
|
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | John Danforth |
Succeeded by | Zalmay Khalilzad |
3rd Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs | |
In office May 11, 2001 – July 31, 2005 |
|
President | George W. Bush |
Preceded by | John D. Holum |
Succeeded by | Robert Joseph |
18th Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs | |
In office May 22, 1989 – January 20, 1993 |
|
President | George H. W. Bush |
Preceded by | Richard S. Williamson |
Succeeded by | Douglas J. Bennet |
United States Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division | |
In office 1988–1989 |
|
President | Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | Richard K. Willard |
Succeeded by | Stuart M. Gerson |
United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs | |
In office 1985–1988 |
|
President | Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | Robert McConnell |
Succeeded by | Thomas Boyd |
Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development for Program and Policy Coordination | |
In office 1982–1983 |
|
President | Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | Alexander Shakow |
Succeeded by | Richard Derham |
Personal details | |
Born |
John Robert Bolton
November 20, 1948 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) |
Christine Bolton (m. 1972–1983)
Gretchen Smith |
Children | 1 |
Education | Yale University (BA, JD) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1970–1976 |
Unit | United States Army Reserve Maryland Army National Guard |
John Robert Bolton (born November 20, 1948) is an American attorney, political commentator, Republican consultant and activist, government official and former diplomat who was the 27th National Security Advisor of the United States from April 9, 2018 to September 10, 2019.
Bolton served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from August 2005 to December 2006 as a recess appointee by President George W. Bush. He resigned at the end of his recess appointment in December 2006.
Bolton has been called a "war hawk" and is an advocate for regime change in Iran and North Korea and repeatedly called for the termination of the Iran deal. He was a supporter of the Iraq War and continues to support his decision. He has continuously supported military action and regime change in Syria, Libya, and Iran. A Republican, his political views have been described as American nationalist, conservative, and "neoconservative". Bolton rejects the last term and called himself "pro-American" instead.
Early life and education
Bolton was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of Virginia Clara and Edward Jackson Bolton, a fireman. He grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Yale Heights and won a scholarship to the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, graduating in 1966. He also ran the school's Students For Goldwater campaign in 1964.
Bolton attended Yale University, earning a B.A. and graduating summa cum laude in 1970. He was a member of the Yale Political Union. He attended Yale Law School from 1971 to 1974, where he shared classes with his friend Clarence Thomas, earning a J.D. in 1974.
Personal life
Bolton is married to Gretchen Smith Bolton, a financial planner with AXA Advisors. Together they have a daughter, Jennifer, and reside in Bethesda, Maryland. He is a Lutheran.
Images for kids
-
Bolton joins Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld negotiates with Russian counterpart
-
President George W. Bush announces the nomination of Bolton as the U.S. ambassador to UN as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice looks on
-
John Bolton speaking at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland 2015