Conspiracy theories

Ted Cruz suggests 'deep-state forces' might be behind Bolton's ouster

September 10, 2019

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Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has added his two cents to the John Bolton drama.

Cruz tweeted that Bolton — who was either fired, resigned, or forced to resign (nobody is really sure) Tuesday — is a "friend" who "has devoted his life to defending our national security, including providing counsel to multiple administrations." Cruz's lament echoes that of Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who called Bolton's departure a "huge loss" for the United States and its foreign policy.

But Cruz went a little bit further than his colleague in the Senate, suggesting that Bolton's departure might be a result of "deep-state forces" within the Treasury and State Departments convincing President Trump to soften his stance on Iran.

I sincerely hope his leaving the White House does not mean that the deep-state forces at State and Treasury—who have been fighting tooth and nail to preserve the Obama Iran nuclear deal—have finally convinced the president to go soft on Iran.
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) September 10, 2019

Cruz added that "relaxing the maximum pressure strategy on Iran" would be "an enormous mistake" that could "undo the single greatest national security victory of the Trump Administration," which Cruz considers to be Trump backing out of the 2015 nuclear pact.