By Denny Gulino
THE WHITE HOUSE (MaceNews) – Whether John Bolton resigned or President Trump fired him, whether the split was over the Taliban meeting at Camp David that never took place, or policy toward Iran or whether Bolton was just too disagreeable a character to work with the administration team, his departure made Tuesday at the White House more than usually memorable.
It was probably particularly memorable for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had to face reporters at a rare press-room briefing without the third person scheduled to speak with them, Bolton.
The subject was supposed to be intensified sanctions being implemented against Iran. Mnuchin, who earlier in the day was fielding questions from senators on Capitol Hill about proposals to recapitalize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – and in the process save the 30-year mortgage – apparently learned about Bolton’s departure on his way to the White House.
Did it all surprise Pompeo? “I’m never surprised,” he said.
It was only the day before that Trump tweeted about how the Fake News press likes to create stories about turmoil within the administration, of which he said there is none. When Mnuchin was asked if the president’s national security team was now a “mess,” he said that was the “most ridiculous question” he had ever heard.
There is a team of professionals in place, a new acting national security adviser and all is well, was his message.
When Trump tweeted that he had asked for Bolton’s resignation Monday night and was given it Tuesday, the price of oil took a quick dip down on immediate speculation the administration’s tone toward Iran might be softer without Bolton. Meanwhile, Bolton was tweeting various media that he offered his resignation Monday night to be told by Trump that they would talk about it the following day. Oil recovered somewhat, despite a new government projection of lessened demand.
In the process Bolton apparently learned, as have others, that Trump is not fond of having people resign without him doing the firing first.
The executive order Mnuchin and Pompeo wanted to talk about was about widening sanctions against Iran, perhaps taking away some of the cheer felt in Tehran at Bolton’s departure.