In Washington, D.C., President Trump’s incoming national security adviser, John Bolton, met at the Pentagon Thursday with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. It was the first time the pair have met face to face. As they walked past reporters, Mattis was overheard joking, “It’s good to finally meet you, since I’ve heard that you’re actually the devil incarnate.”
Defense Secretary James Mattis: “Thanks for—thanks for coming. And it’s good to finally meet you, since”—
John Bolton: “Absolutely.”
Defense Secretary James Mattis: “I’ve heard that you’re actually the devil incarnate, and I wanted to meet you.”
John Bolton is known for his ultra-hawkish views and has openly backed war against Iran and North Korea, including a preemptive strike. He was a prominent supporter of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.