John Bolton, the former national security advisor, has asserted that Donald Trump’s deliberate choice to appear menacing in his widely recognized mugshot could be a strategic move to intimidate judges and prosecutors in Georgia. Bolton ridiculed Trump’s stern expression captured in the historic image, which marked the first-ever booking photo of a former President. The mugshot was taken subsequent to Trump’s arrest on fraud charges tied to his alleged interference in the 2020 election, at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta.
Bolton remarked that the process of capturing the image was meticulously orchestrated, mirroring Trump’s approach to many endeavors. He mentioned, “They thought about what look they wanted. He could’ve smiled. He could’ve looked benign… Instead he looks like a thug.” Bolton further elaborated on his interpretation, suggesting that the intimidating appearance was meant to convey a message of intimidation directed at legal professionals.
Taking a jab at his ex-boss, Bolton implied that Trump’s team invested nearly as much effort into determining his pose for the photograph as they did grooming his hair. Trump’s recent arrest marked the fourth instance this year, with charges filed against him in New York City, Miami, and Washington, DC. However, it was the first occasion he had his mugshot taken.
Details like Trump’s height, weight, and prisoner identification number were recorded during the booking process. He was released after posting a 10 percent bail payment of $200,000, spending a mere 20 minutes in custody. The arrest occurred following the Republican presidential debate, where Trump was conspicuously absent. Despite his absence, seven out of eight contenders stated their intention to support Trump if he secures the primary, even in the face of potential conviction.
Bolton criticized those contenders, asserting that endorsing Trump despite his conviction would conflict with a belief in a law-and-order philosophy. He argued that in a rational society, individuals convicted of felonies should step aside from leadership roles. Bolton’s perspective on Trump has been explicit, evident in his memoir “The Room Where It Happened.” He depicted Trump as lacking understanding in foreign policy matters and detrimental to the Oval Office. Trump retaliated by labeling Bolton with derogatory terms. Bolton disclosed that he did not vote for Trump in 2020 and would do the same in 2024 if Trump becomes the Republican nominee.
The former president faces a 41-count charge, including Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO), solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery, perjury, and other counts. Conviction on all charges could lead to a 71-year prison sentence. Notably, state charges cannot be pardoned by a sitting president, unlike federal charges.
World News