John Bolton is officially on his own. In a move that sent ripples through the D.C. security establishment, the former National Security Advisor lost his U.S. Secret Service protection almost immediately after the transition of power in early 2025. It wasn't a slow phase-out or a standard expiration. Basically, it was one of the first things the new administration did.
The decision has sparked a massive debate about whether the government should protect former officials who face active foreign threats. Or if it's just a waste of taxpayer money on political rivals. Honestly, the optics are messy.
Why John Bolton Loses Secret Service Protection Now
The "why" is actually pretty straightforward but also deeply personal. Usually, National Security Advisors don't get a lifetime of bodyguards. It's not like being a former President. But Bolton was an exception. In December 2021, the Biden administration granted him a full detail after the Department of Justice unsealed charges against a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The plot was allegedly a murder-for-hire scheme to avenge the 2020 drone strike on Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
When President Trump returned to office in January 2025, he didn't wait long. Within the first 24 to 72 hours, the orders were signed. Protection was pulled not just for Bolton, but also for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former aide Brian Hook. Trump’s reasoning was blunt: "We're not going to have security on people for the rest of their lives. Why should we?"
Bolton didn't hold back in his response. He told reporters he was "disappointed but not surprised." He basically pointed out that while he hated Biden's policies, Biden at least kept him alive. It’s a weird spot to be in—being more protected by your political enemies than your former boss.
✨ Don't miss: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The Staggering Cost of the Bolton Detail
Let’s talk money for a second because that's the angle the administration used to justify the cut. Protecting high-level officials is incredibly expensive. We’re talking about 24-hour coverage, home security, and travel teams.
- $12.2 million: That’s roughly what it cost to protect John Bolton and Robert O'Brien for just one year, according to DHS reports.
- $2 million per month: That was the estimated bill for protecting Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook during the latter part of the Biden era.
- Specialized Assets: These aren't just guys in suits. It includes armored vehicles, secure communication lines, and advance teams for every trip.
You’ve gotta wonder if the price tag was the real reason or just a convenient excuse. The federal budget is trillions of dollars; $12 million is basically a rounding error in the grand scheme of things. But to the average person, it sounds like a lot of cash to spend on someone who is no longer in office.
A Legacy of Bad Blood
You can't talk about Bolton losing his security without talking about the personal feud. It’s legendary. Bolton went from being Trump’s "hawk" to being one of his most vitriolic critics. After he left the White House in 2019, he wrote The Room Where It Happened, a memoir that the Trump administration tried to block in court.
Since then, it's been a non-stop war of words. Trump has called him "one of the dumbest people in government" and a "sleazebag." Bolton has openly questioned Trump’s fitness for office. By pulling the security detail, the administration effectively told Bolton that his safety is his own problem now.
🔗 Read more: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
It gets even more intense. In August 2025, the FBI actually raided Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland. They were looking for classified documents, supposedly related to that same 2020 memoir. So, in the span of a few months, Bolton went from having federal agents guarding his door to having federal agents kicking it in.
The Iranian Threat: Real or Overblown?
The big question is whether Bolton is actually in danger. The Department of Justice thinks so. They even offered a $20 million reward for information on Shahram Poursafi, the Iranian operative behind the alleged hit. Iran has never really hidden the fact that they want "blood for blood" regarding Soleimani.
Critics of the move to pull protection argue that it sends a dangerous signal to Tehran. If you can wait out an administration, you can eventually get to your target. On the flip side, supporters of the decision say Bolton is a private citizen now and should hire his own security like any other wealthy person with enemies.
What Happens Next for Former Officials?
This situation has changed the game for everyone currently serving in high-level national security roles. If you know your protection might be yanked the moment a different party takes the White House, it might change how you do your job. Or at least how you talk about your boss after you leave.
💡 You might also like: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
Bolton has likely had to transition to private security. For a guy who was used to the full resources of the U.S. government, that’s a massive lifestyle change and a huge personal expense. It's also a logistical nightmare. Private contractors don't have the same legal authorities or intelligence access as the Secret Service.
If you're following this story, here's what to keep an eye on:
- Private Security Filings: Look for whether Bolton or Pompeo seek reimbursement or special permits for high-end private security.
- Legislative Pushback: Watch for any bills in Congress attempting to mandate protection for officials with "credible foreign threats," regardless of the President's whims.
- Legal Challenges: Bolton is a litigious guy. Don't be surprised if there's a lawsuit regarding the "arbitrary and capricious" nature of pulling the detail while the FBI still says he’s a target.
The reality is that John Bolton loses Secret Service protection at a time when global tensions are higher than ever. Whether this was a necessary budget cut or a calculated act of political "retribution" depends entirely on who you ask. For now, the man with the most famous mustache in D.C. is watching his own back.
If you are interested in the legalities of this, your next step should be looking into the Former Presidents Act and the Secret Service Protection Act to see just how much discretion a sitting president actually has over these details. It’s a lot more than you’d think.