Fox News host Sean Hannity implored John Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, to appear on his prime-time cable news show and explain what he knows about the Ukraine scandal that has led to Trump’s impeachment.
“I say to you tonight; you have something to say, John,” Hannity said Tuesday night. “Come here. You worked here. This is your old home. Come on the show and have your say on this show.”
Bolton, 71, is a former Fox News contributor who has emerged as a central figure in the Senate impeachment trial taking place this week. In a book due to be published this year, Bolton states that Trump told him he wanted to continue a freeze on military aid for Ukraine until the country went along with investigations into Democrats he and his associates sought.
House Democrats impeached Trump for abuse of power, saying he “shook down” a foreign leader and engaged in a “quid pro quo” to achieve a personal political gain. House impeachment managers prosecuting Trump before a Senate jury have argued the body should hear testimony from Bolton and other key witnesses to the crimes they allege Trump has committed.
Bolton has said publicly he is willing to testify if the Senate calls him to do so.
I have posted a brief statement regarding testimony on the Ukraine impeachment matter before the Senate at: https://t.co/Q3TwI2BzBp
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 6, 2020
Trump has denied the allegations made by his former national security chief, which he called “nonsense.”
Why didn’t John Bolton complain about this “nonsense” a long time ago, when he was very publicly terminated. He said, not that it matters, NOTHING!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2020
Trump’s defense lawyers have said even if what Bolton said was true, it would not rise to the level of an impeachable offense.
Trump’s Republican defenders, who are pushing Senate leadership to move to dismiss the case, have said Bolton was just trying to make money from his new book.
Hannity, one of Trump’s most prominent media defenders, echoed that sentiment. “John Bolton, come on the show,” he said. “Your country wants to hear from you. I’d like to hear from you. You have a story to tell the country, John. Stop playing games. This is not a game when it’s the presidency of the United States.”
