FILE: The phrase "World War Six" was trending on Twitter Wednesday after a pair of tweets from President Donald Trump against John Bolton. Photo: CNN
After a pair of tweets from President Donald Trump, the phrase “World War Six” began trending on Twitter Wednesday. The tweet is about John Bolton, whose leaked manuscripts from his new book that dish on the White House and administration has caused unrest in the impeachment trial.
Trump took to Twitter, calling Bolton a “guy who couldn’t get approved for the Ambassador to the U.N. years ago, couldn’t get approved for anything since, ‘begged’ me for a non Senate [sic] approved job, which I gave him despite many saying ‘Don’t do it, sir,’ takes the job, mistakenly says ‘Libyan Model’ on T.V.”
He goes on to say that, had Trump “listened to” Bolton, the U.S. would be in “World War Six by now.”
The criticism comes shortly after manuscripts from Bolton’s soon-to-be-published book were released, with accusations that Trump told Bolton he would release military aid to Ukraine depending on if the government would assist in investigating former Vice President Joe Biden and his son.
This accusation of abuse of power was the igniting incident into the impeachment inquiry by Nancy Pelosi in September and the current impeachment trial.
After this information was released, Sen. Mitt Romney announced Monday he wanted John Bolton to testify in the Senate trial — adding that he believes other Republicans would agree with him. Others such as Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have agreed with Romney.
Since then, it’s been rumored that Mitch McConnell has told Republicans there won’t be enough Republican votes to block calling Bolton in as a witness. The Republicans would need 51 votes to gain the majority of the 100-member Senate to block the vote — meaning only four Republican senators in addition to all of the Senate Democrats would need to vote in favor of calling Bolton.
Romney has been turning heads in the trial, noting that he wants to vote as an unbiased juror rather than along party lines.
The process of reading opening statements from both sides in the trial ended earlier this week. The Senate trial resumes Wednesday, beginning the process of questioning from both sides.