John Bolton, who was fired by Donald Trump, now willing to testify at impeachment trial
- Former White House national security adviser issues statement indicating he is willing to come forward if subpoenaed by Senate
- Democrats believe Bolton has direct knowledge supporting charges of abuse of power and obstruction by the president
Former national security adviser John Bolton said he would testify in US President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial if the Senate issues him a subpoena, putting new and potentially intense pressure on Senate Republicans to open the impeachment trial further than they had planned.
Several administration witnesses testified during the House investigation of Trump’s actions toward Ukraine that Bolton told them he was concerned about aspects of the president’s behaviour. Former administration official Fiona Hill recounted Bolton caustically comparing Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani’s work in Ukraine to a “drug deal”.
Bolton’s testimony – which Democrats have long sought, believing it would shine additional light on Trump’s actions – could serve as a focal point of a Senate impeachment trial.
“I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify,” Bolton said in a statement.
The House of Representatives has accused Trump of using military aid and other incentives as leverage to get Ukraine to investigate Democrat Joe Biden, his potential November presidential opponent.