Bolton 'feels sorry' for Pompeo because he's 'tied his political future to Donald Trump'

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused former National Security Adviser John Bolton of leaking White House secrets. Bolton says it's the other way around.
In a segment of an interview with CBS News shared Tuesday, Bolton responded to Pompeo's allegation that Bolton was left out of meetings "because he was leaking or he would twist things or he'd lie." "Mike and I obviously have a substantial disagreement there because I think his department was the ace of aces in the government for leaking things," Bolton said, before going on to explain why he thought Pompeo was twisting the story.
Pompeo "has made a decision ... to tie his political future to [President] Donald Trump," Bolton said, adding "I feel sorry for him for doing that." He then maintained that Pompeo was often a "yes man" for Trump, saying even though he "disagreed with some of the things the president wanted, he didn't try to persuade him."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Current and some former Trump officials have tried to discredit Bolton after the publication of his book, which accused Trump of calling for journalists to be executed and encouraging Chinese President Xi Jinping to build Uighur concentration camps. Pompeo once called Trump "so full of sh-t" in a note he passed to Bolton, the book alleges.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Toast to great drinks and gorgeous views at these 7 rooftop bars
The Week Recommends Elevate your typical night out
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Sudoku medium: February 24, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Crossword: February 24, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mitch McConnell won't seek reelection
Speed Read The longest-serving Senate party leader is retiring
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump reportedly wants to take over US Postal Service
Speed Read President Trump is making plans to disband the leadership of USPS and absorb the agency into his administration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump seeks to end New York's congestion pricing
Speed Read The MTA quickly filed a lawsuit to stop the move
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump officials try to reverse DOGE-led firings
Speed Read Mass firings by Elon Musk's team have included employees working on the H5N1 bird flu epidemic and US nuclear weapons programs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump blames Ukraine for war after US-Russia talks
Speed Read The US and Russia have agreed to work together on ending the Ukraine war — but President Trump has flipped America's approach
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Musk's DOGE seeks access to IRS, Social Security files
Speed Read If cleared, the Department of Government Efficiency would have access to tax returns, bank records and other highly personal information about most Americans
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Senate confirms RFK Jr. as health secretary
Speed Read The noted vaccine skeptic is now in charge of America's massive public health system
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump lays out plans for broad 'reciprocal' tariffs
Speed Read Tariffs imposed on countries that are deemed to be treating the US unfairly could ignite a global trade war and worsen American inflation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published