Democrats long-term opposition to John Bolton – until they rely on him to fight Trump

When a federal agent Raided houses and offices Another example of what they claim is President Donald Trump’s political weaponization of the justice system by former national security adviser John Bolton in a section Friday as part of a confidential document investigation.

The reaction is in stark contrast to the long history of Democratic opposition to Bolton. For years, they denounced him as a tough foreign policy hawk who manipulated intelligence and pushed the United States into war. But when Bolton broke with Trump, Democrats began to invoke him as the main witness and rely on his public comments to strengthen the case against the former president.

Fighting for the role of the Bolton Bush era

Democrats try to stop Bolton nominated in 2005 Under President George W. Bush, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. It was a gift at that time. D-Del. Joe Biden accused him of being untrue to the Senate questionnaire, noting that he was interviewed as part of the State Department of the United Nations Department and investigated Iraq’s investigation into Niger’s pursuit of nuclear substances.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif).

John Bolton, bombed by Trump Ally Roger Stone, faces Biden FBI raid: “Karma is B —–‘

That same year, then-State Intelligence Director Carl W. Ford Jr., an analyst, reportedly boycotted claims that include Cuban biological weapons, and Bolton wanted to publish it.

Senate Democrats delayed Bolton’s nomination for several months, citing fears that he was trying to shape intelligence results to fit administrative policy goals.

Re-oppositions during Trump administration

When Trump appointed Bolton as national security adviser in 2018, Democrats criticized him again, citing his past support for the Iraq war and his call for tough measures against Iran and North Korea.

FBI agents raided former national security adviser John Bolton’s Maryland home in a confidential document investigation on August 22, 2025. (Fox News figures)

“Bolton is a dangerous activist,” said Rep. Brendan Boyle. Senator Ed Markey accused him of politicizing intelligence as the advancement of the Iraq conflict. D-Ore. Senator Jeff Merkley argued that Bolton had been “safely wrong” throughout his career.

Trump himself later was frustrated by Bolton’s hawkish approach, including his advocacy for peaceful negotiations with the Taliban and military operations in Iran. The two broke up in 2019, and Trump announced Bolton’s departure on social media, Bolton insisted that he had filed for resignation.

After the FBI raid, Trump-Bolton’s hatred reopened: “There has never been a clue… What a soup!”

Being sought-after witnesses during the improvisation

Democrats start to emphasize Bolton’s breakthrough with Trump Trump’s first improvisation trial In Ukraine.

Rep at the time, “the core significance of John Bolton’s testimony is undeniable.” Adam Schiff of D-Calif said when the house impeachment manager forced him to appear.

Bolton’s memoir later claimed that Trump’s attempt to reject Ukraine’s military aid was a move Bolton privately described as a “drug deal.” At the time, MSNBC commentators believed that his testimony might be decisive in the outcome of the trial.

Ultimately, Bolton refused to testify, angering some Democrats who accused him of keeping details for his book rather than taking the oath.

John R. Bolton, the then international security adviser, listened to then President Donald J. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Role in today’s political debate

Since leaving the Trump administration, Bolton has become a regular guest on networks such as CNN and MSNBC, where he continues to weigh foreign policy and national security.

Although many Democrats have opposed his nomination and criticized his record, they sometimes point out his comments because they are consistent with criticisms of Trump and other Republicans.

Click here to get the Fox News app

The latest raid highlights how Bolton remains a polarizing figure – a Democrat has long opposed, but tends to work hard when his testimony or comments can be used with Trump.