On CBS this morning, John Bolton, a former national security adviser, said, “This is a big victory for Moscow over Washington.” He criticized the trade of Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, who was regarded as one of the most dangerous people in the world before to his capture and conviction. “It endangers other Americans in the future, who can be abducted and used by bargaining chips,” he warned.
In this video, Bolton also disclosed that the Trump administration had received a proposal two years prior to trade Paul Whelan for Bout. They did so, and “for very excellent reasons,” according to Bolton:
“Anne-Marie Green: Of course, you know, the reporting is — and I think it’s pretty obvious — I don’t think I have to say the reporting is that Brittney Griner was overcharged, that she was charged sort of akin to a drug trafficker to at least make it seem on paper like these two prisoners were equal. Can you tell me what you know about Viktor Bout and why the Russians would want him back so badly?
John Bolton: Well, I really can’t get into specifics, but I’ll just note that Paul Whelan, who was likewise set up by the Russians back in late 2018, so when I was at the White House, is still in custody. And I’ll just note the historical fact that the possibility of a Bout for Whelan trade existed back then, and it wasn’t made, for very good reasons having to deal with Viktor Bout.
But this is a huge victory for Moscow over Washington. And it’s the kind of thing that says to terrorists and rogue states and other malign actors who would consider kidnapping or seizing Americans, that we’re willing to trade almost anything to get Americans back. There are other ways to deal with hostage-takers through sanctions and other things, not swaps like this one.”
The 1-for-1 prisoner swap of Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout between the U.S. and Russia was a "very bad mistake," former Trump admin. National Security Adviser Amb. John Bolton says, calling it a "victory for Moscow over Washington."
"It endangers other Americans in the future" pic.twitter.com/ZwFFFaQKPJ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 8, 2022
Biden’s deal was stupid and a major security risk, it doesn’t take a genius to see why. It’s good to see Bolton call out this crummy administration but let’s not forget that he has his eyes on the White House in 2024 and vowed to challenge Trump. He has motives of his own here and I expect we’ll be seeing more of Bolton in the very near future—More so than anyone really wants to.