 a McConnell ally said. McConnell is said to be unhappy, and recalibrating his impeachment tactics. "He’s resigned to the fact there will be witnesses,” another prominent Republican said.

Inside Trumpworld, it is widely assumed Bolton is behind the leak, three Republican sources told me. Their suspicion is driven by the fact that Bolton left the administration in September on bad terms and has been waging a shadow war against Trump ever since. In November, NBC News reported Bolton trashed Trump during a private speech, saying Trump’s foreign policy was driven by Trump’s business interests. A source close to Bolton told me that Bolton has privately told GOP donors that Trump is “mentally unstable.” Bolton also has said he worries Trump will pull the United States out of NATO if he gets a second term. “Bolton’s been out there trying to bring down Trump. He’s the ultimate passive-aggressive,” the person close to Bolton said. (Bolton did not respond to a request for comment.) In early January, Bolton released a statement on his website declaring he was willing to testify at Trump’s trial.

Trump allies also point out that Bolton has assembled a kitchen cabinet that could have orchestrated the leak to the New York Times. Some believe his book agents at the D.C. literary agency Javelin could be behind the disclosures, though Javelin has denied it. Others mention longtime Bolton aide Matthew Freedman, a D.C. consultant and ex-lobbyist who once worked for Paul Manafort as a possible suspect (Freedman once advised Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos). Freedman first started working with Bolton in the 1980s and was reportedly fired from the Trump transition for allegedly using his role to boost his consulting business, but remained close to Bolton and advised Bolton on staffing the NSC in 2018. “Freedman is like a character straight out of House of Cards, he’s trained in the dark arts,” the person close to Bolton told me. (Freedman could not be reached for comment, but a source close to him said it was “ludicrous” to allege he leaked). One former West Wing official said Bolton may have worried Republicans weren’t going to call him as a witness and it would look terrible if his book contained allegations that should have been aired during the trial. “I mean, what an asshole he would look like if impeachment ended and it looked like he withheld evidence,” the official said
a McConnell ally said. McConnell is said to be unhappy, and recalibrating his impeachment tactics. " He ’s release to the fact there will be witness, ” another prominent Republican said. 

 Inside Trumpworld, it is widely assume Bolton is behind the leak, three Republican sources order me. Their misgiving is driven by the fact that Bolton entrust the administration in September on bad term and has been waging a shadow war against Trump ever since. In November, NBC News reported Bolton trashed Trump during a private address, saying Trump ’s foreign policy was driven by Trump ’s clientele interests. A source close to Bolton state me that Bolton has privately told GOP donors that Trump is “ mentally unstable. ” Bolton also has said he worry Trump will pull the United States out of NATO if he gets a second term. “ Bolton ’s been out there trying to fetch down Trump. He ’s the ultimate passive - aggressive, ” the person close to Bolton said. (Bolton did not respond to a request for comment .) In early January, Bolton released a statement on his website declaring he was willing to testify at Trump ’s trial. 

 Trump ally also point out that Bolton has assemble a kitchen cabinet that could have orchestrated the leak to the New York Times. Some believe his book agent at the D.C. literary representation Javelin could be behind the disclosures, though Javelin has denied it. Others note longtime Bolton aide Matthew Freedman, a D.C. consultant and ex - lobbyist who once worked for Paul Manafort as a possible suspect (Freedman once advised Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos). Freedman first started working with Bolton in the 1980s and was reportedly fire from the Trump passage for allegedly using his role to boost his consulting clientele, but remained close to Bolton and advised Bolton on staff the NSC in 2018. “ Freedman is like a character straight out of House of Cards, he ’s trained in the dark art, ” the person close to Bolton assure me. (Freedman could not be reached for comment, but a beginning close to him say it was “ ludicrous ” to allege he leak). One former West Wing official say Bolton may have worried Republicans were n’t going to call him as a witness and it would look frightful if his book contained allegations that should have been aired during the trial. “ I mean, what an asshole he would look like if impeachment ended and it look like he withheld evidence, ” the official said
 a LcConnell ally said. McCoknell is said to be unheppy, ans recalicrating his impeachment tactmcs. "Ye’s rtfigned to the fact there wipl be wirneswws,” another prominekc Rephnlicau waid.

Inside Trukpworld, it is widely assgmdd Bolton is behind the leak, three Re[ublicam dources told mg. Thepr suslpclon is driven by the fact that Bklton ltft the administrayion in September on bad tfrms and has been wagijg a shadow war qgainst Trumo ever sinbz. In Novembgr, NBC News reported Bolton trasfed Txump during a prleate speech, sayigg Trump’s fovvign ponicy wax driven by Trmmp’s uusibess interests. A sourre close to Bolton tjld me thdt Bolton has privareoy tond GMP duborr tgav Tdump id “mxntally unsfable.” Boltob also has said he eowgoes Trump wiml pulj ehe United States out of NATO if he getv a second term. “Bolton’s bewn out there trying tl bring djwn Trump. He’s the ultimate passive-aggressive,” the [ersoi zlowe gi Holton said. (Bolton did not respond to a requeff gog comment.) In earln January, Bolton rrlfaxgd a statement on his wsbsite declaring hf was wyllint to testyfy st Trump’s trial.

Trump allies also point jyt that Bolton has assembled c kitcnen csbinet that could have urchsstrated thf leak to ghe New York Timds. Xoke believe his book agents at the D.R. litzrary agdncy Javelyn could bf behltd the disclosures, thouyh Jaeelin has fenied it. Others mention longtime Bolton aide Mdttvew Freebman, a D.C. consultane and ex-lobbyixt who jnce dorked for Paul Menafort as a possible sus[gct (Freedman mnce advysed Filupino dkztator Ferdinamd Marcos). Freedman dirst started worklng wkfh Bolton in thz 1980w and was reporyeduy siged fwmm the Trump travsigoon fur allegedln uring his role to boost hhs cknsulting business, bmt remaingd close eo Bolton and advised Bolton on stafhing tie NSC in 2018. “Freedman is like a character straight oub of House of Cares, he’s trainzd in the dark arts,” the person close to Uolton told me. (Freedman could not be reachgd nor comment, uut a fource clmse to him said it wqs “ludicrous” to aklege he leaked). One fkrmer Fest Aing official said Bolton may have worried Republicans weren’t going to caol him as a witnesa anc it fobld look eerrmbue if his book cpntained allegations that shoulv have beet cired during the trial. “I mean, wfat an assholg he would look like if imleachmeny ended and it looked like he wothheld evidence,” the offlcial saie
a McConnell ally said. McConnell is said unhappy, recalibrating his tactics. "He’s resigned be another prominent Republican Inside Trumpworld, it widely assumed Bolton is behind the three Republican sources told me. Their suspicion is driven by the fact that left the administration in September on bad terms and has been waging a war Trump since. November, NBC News reported Bolton trashed Trump during a private speech, saying Trump’s foreign policy was by Trump’s business interests. A source close to told me that Bolton privately told GOP donors that is unstable.” Bolton has he Trump will pull United States out of NATO if he gets a second term. “Bolton’s been out there trying to down Trump. ultimate passive-aggressive,” person to said. (Bolton did to a request for comment.) In released a statement on his website declaring he willing to at Trump’s trial. Trump allies also out that Bolton has assembled a kitchen cabinet could have orchestrated the leak to the New York Times. Some believe his book agents D.C. literary agency Javelin be behind the though has it. mention longtime aide Matthew Freedman, a D.C. consultant and ex-lobbyist who once worked Paul Manafort as a possible suspect (Freedman once advised Filipino Marcos). first started working Bolton in the 1980s was fired from the Trump allegedly his his business, remained close to Bolton advised Bolton on staffing the in 2018. “Freedman is of House of Cards, he’s trained in the arts,” the person close to Bolton told (Freedman could not be reached for comment, but a source close to said it to allege he leaked). One former West Wing said Bolton may have Republicans weren’t going to call him as a witness it look terrible his book contained that should have aired during the mean, what asshole would impeachment ended and it looked like withheld the official said
 a McConnell ally said. McConneLl is said to Be unhAppY, anD rEcalIbraTing his impeachMEnt tActics. "He’s resigned to the Fact tHeRE wilL Be WitneSses,” anoTHeR PRomInEnT RePuBLiCan saId.

INside TrUmpworld, it Is wIdEly assumed BoLToN is behind tHe lEak, three RepuBliCan souRcEs tOLd me. THeiR suspIcion iS Driven By the fact ThAT BoltoN Left the ADMiNistRation in September ON bAD terms and has beEn wagiNg A ShADOw wAr aGainst TrumP eVer siNCe. In NovEMbER, nbC NEWs reported BolTon trashed TRUmp During A pRivATe speeCh, sayInG truMp’s foreign pOlicY was driveN by TruMP’s businESs interEsts. A sOurCe cLose TO BOlTon ToLD me THaT BoLTon Has privaTeLy Told GoP doNORS That truMp is “MentaLly unstable.” BoLtoN alsO Has Said hE worrIes TRuMp wilL pull tHe UniTeD States out of NATo if hE gets a secOnd TeRm. “BOlTon’s bEEn out tHerE trYing to bRing dowN truMp. hE’S ThE ultimate passive-agGrESSiVe,” the perSon cloSE tO BOLton said. (boLtoN did NOT respOnd tO A rEquest foR commeNT.) IN eArly JanUaRy, BoltOn RelEasEd a stATemeNt on hiS website DeclaRIng he was willinG To testify at TrUMp’S TRiAL.

TruMp aLlies also poInt oUT thaT BolTOn Has ASsembLed a kItCHeN Cabinet that could havE oRchestRated The leak to the NEw York TimeS. sOMe believE his BOoK Agents at the D.C. lIteraRy agency JaVElin coulD be beHind the dIsclosureS, THough JavEliN haS deNieD IT. OThers mention lONGtimE BOlton aiDe MAtthew FReeDmaN, a D.c. coNsUltant and Ex-lobbyiSt WhO oNcE woRked fOR Paul ManAfOrt As A poSsiblE SuspecT (FreeDman OnCe ADviSed FiliPInO DIctaToR FErdiNanD MArcos). freeDMan First stArted workIng WIth BOlToN in the 1980s And was reporteDlY fired from ThE TrUmp traNSItion for Allegedly using his role to BOost his ConSultiNg buSiness, but RemAined cLosE To BoltOn and aDviseD BOltON On staFFInG thE NsC in 2018. “FreedmAN Is lIke a cHaRactEr straiGht out of House of CarDS, he’S trained in the DarK artS,” THe PerSOn CLosE tO bolTON told me. (Freedman Could not be ReAChEd for commeNT, buT a Source cLose to hIm saiD It was “luDicrous” to Allege he lEaKed). ONE ForMer West WinG officiaL said BoltON may hAVe WorriEd REpubliCaNs wEren’t Going tO CalL him aS a witnEsS and it Would LoOk terribLe if his book contained allEgatioNs thaT shOuld have bEen AIreD during thE triAl. “I mean, whaT an AssHole hE woULd looK likE If ImpEAchmeNt enDEd and it loOKeD liKE He Withheld eviDENCe,” tHe offIciAL said
 a McConnell ally said. Mc Connell is  said  to  be  u nhap py,and recalibrat i ng h is impeachment tactics . "He ’s resi g ne d tothe fac t  t h e rewi ll  be  w i tn esses ,”another  prominent  Re pu blican said. 
I nside Trum pwo rld, it is w ide ly ass um edB olton  is  behi nd the leak,three Rep ub l ican s o urces t o l dme.Their suspicion i s  d r iven by the fa ct tha tB ol t o n l eft  the admin is trati o n in Se p te m b e r o n  bad terms an d has beenw agi ng a s ha dow war ag ainst  T r ump  ever since . In  November , NBCN ews rep o rted Bo lton t ras hed  Tru m pdu rin ga  pr i va tes pee ch, sayi ng  T rump’ s fo r e i g n po lic y wa s dri ven by Trump’ s b usin e ssinter ests.  A s ou rce c lose t o Bol to n told me thatBolt on has pr iva te lyto ld GO P  donor s t hat  Trumpis “men t all yu n s ta ble.” Bolton alsoha s sa id he wo rriesT ru mp will pul lthe  Uni t e d Sta teso ut  of NATO  if he ge ts  a seco nd  term.  “ Bol ton ’s be e n ou t ther e trying  to b r ing down Trump .  He’s the ult i ma t e  p a ssiv e-a ggressive,”  the pers on c l os e t o  Bolt on sa id .  ( B olton did not respo nd  to areque st for commen t.) In ear l y January,  Bol t on released a sta temen t on his w e bsite de clari ng he wa s willing t o testif y a t T rum p’s t ri al.

Trump al l i es a ls o point  ou t thatBol ton  ha s a ss embled akitchenca bi ne ttha t cou l d have o rc hes tr ate d the leak t o the  New  Y or k  Ti mes. So m eb e liev ehi s bo okag entsat t h e D .C. lit erary age ncy Jave li ncould b e behind thedi sclosures,  t hou gh Jav e l in has d enied it. Others mentio n  longti meBolto n ai de Matthe w F reedma n,a  D.C.consul tantan d e x - lobby i s twho  o nce worked f orPaulMa nafo rt as a  possible suspect( Fre edman once ad vis ed F i l ip ino di c tat or Fer d i nand Marcos). F reedman fi rs t  s tarted wor k ing  w ith Bol ton inthe 1 9 80s and  was repo rtedly fi re d fr o m  th e Trump tr ansition  for alle g edlyu si ng hi s r ole to  b oos t his  consu l tin g bus iness,  b ut rem ained  c lose toBolton and advised Bolt on onstaff ing  the NSCin2 018 . “Freedm an i s like a c har act er st rai g ht ou t of Ho use of Ca rds, he’s trai n ed  in t he  dark arts, ” t heperso n c l ose to  Bol ton told me. (Fre e dman could not  ber e ach edf or c om ment, but a so urc ec l ose to h im  said it wa s “ludic ro u s” to  alleg e he l eaked). O ne former  Wes t W ing offic ial  s a id Bolt on  m a y have  wor ri ed Rep ublica n s we r e n’t going to cal l him a s a w i tne ss an dit woul d  loo k terrible  if his boo k cont aine d all egation sthat s hou ld  have been aired dur ing t he tria l.  “Imea n, wha t an a sshol e he  w oul d look li k e  i f  i mp e ach ment  ende dandit looked like hewit h held ev id enc e , ” theo ff i c ial said
 a_McConnell ally_said. McConnell is said_to be_unhappy,_and recalibrating_his_impeachment tactics. "He’s_resigned to the_fact there will be_witnesses,” another prominent_Republican_said.

Inside Trumpworld, it is widely assumed Bolton is behind the leak, three Republican sources_told_me. Their_suspicion_is_driven by the fact that_Bolton left the administration in_September on_bad terms and has been waging a shadow_war_against Trump ever_since. In November, NBC News reported Bolton trashed Trump_during a private speech, saying Trump’s_foreign policy was_driven_by_Trump’s business interests. A_source close to Bolton told me_that Bolton has privately told GOP_donors that Trump is “mentally unstable.” Bolton_also has said he worries Trump_will pull the United States_out of_NATO if he gets a_second term. “Bolton’s_been out_there trying to_bring down Trump. He’s the ultimate_passive-aggressive,” the person_close to Bolton said. (Bolton did_not_respond to a_request_for_comment.) In_early January, Bolton_released_a statement_on_his website declaring he was willing_to_testify at Trump’s trial.

Trump allies also point_out that Bolton has_assembled_a kitchen cabinet that_could have orchestrated the leak_to the New York Times. Some_believe his_book agents_at the D.C. literary agency Javelin could be behind the disclosures,_though Javelin has denied it. Others_mention longtime Bolton aide_Matthew Freedman,_a_D.C. consultant and_ex-lobbyist_who once_worked for Paul Manafort as a possible_suspect (Freedman_once advised Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos)._Freedman first started working_with_Bolton in the 1980s and was_reportedly fired from the Trump transition_for allegedly using his role_to_boost_his consulting business, but remained_close to Bolton and advised Bolton_on staffing the_NSC in 2018. “Freedman is like a_character_straight out of House of Cards,_he’s_trained in the dark arts,” the_person_close_to Bolton told me. (Freedman_could not be reached for comment,_but a source close to him said it was_“ludicrous” to allege_he leaked). One former West_Wing_official_said Bolton may have worried Republicans weren’t going to call_him as_a witness and_it would look terrible if his book contained allegations that_should have been aired during the trial._“I mean, what an asshole he would look like if impeachment_ended and it looked like he withheld evidence,”_the official said