Vance says Bolton probe guided by law, not politics
Vice president says probe into former national security adviser is “driven by law,” while Russian foreign minister rules out meeting with Zelenskyy.
(NBC NEWS)- Vice President JD Vance said Sunday the FBI’s investigation into former Ambassador John Bolton is being guided by law, not politics, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed the prospect of a summit between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Vance confirmed that the FBI is searching Bolton’s home and office as part of an ongoing investigation.
“We’re gonna let that investigation proceed,” Vance said. “What I can tell you is that unlike the Biden DOJ and the Biden FBI, our law enforcement agencies are going to be driven by law and not by politics.”
Vance said classified documents were “certainly part of it” but declined to provide details, saying the FBI would speak to the scope of the case. Asked whether Bolton had been detained, Vance said he did not believe so.
Bolton, a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump, has had his security clearance and Secret Service protection revoked. Welker pressed Vance on whether the investigation was retribution.
“No, not at all,” Vance said. “If they ultimately bring a case, it will be because they determine that he has broken the law. We’re going to be careful about that, we’re going to be deliberate about that.”
Vance rejected suggestions that the timing or targets of the investigation were politically motivated. “If the media and the American people let this case actually unfold, they’re going to find out that what we’re doing is being very deliberate and being very driven by the national interest, and by the law here,” he said.
Russia rules out summit with Ukraine for now
In a separate interview with Welker, Lavrov said no summit is currently planned between Putin and Zelenskyy.
“There is no meeting planned,” Lavrov said. “Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda would be ready for a summit. And this agenda is not ready at all.”
Lavrov said Trump had proposed points of discussion during meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders, including no NATO membership for Ukraine and discussion of territorial issues. He said Zelenskyy rejected all of the proposals, including legislation related to the Russian language.
“How can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader?” Lavrov said.
Exclusive interviews with Vice President JD Vance, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, and Sen. Adam Schiff this Sunday on “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker,” airing Sunday (August 24) at 9 a.m. on 41NBC.
