Bolton would consider serving as Trump’s secretary of State

Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton would consider serving as secretary of State in a Donald Trump administration, piquing speculation about his potential future.

“I would,” Bolton told conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday morning when asked if he would be open to the role.

“You know, you’ve got to talk to somebody about a job like that. It’s not just enough to take a position so you can put it on your resume,” he added.

“You have to understand exactly what your role would be and so on, and I think that’s a conversation any responsible person would have.”

“Obviously, you’d take it very, very seriously.”

Trump had previously told Hewitt that he is “seriously thinking about” tapping the longtime diplomat to lead the State Department, should he win the election in November.

“I think John Bolton’s a good man,” the GOP nominee said earlier this month. “I’ve always liked John Bolton.”

The mutual admiration is a clear sign that Bolton would be on a shortlist to lead U.S. foreign policy in a Trump administration. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and former Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn might also be on the list, after initial speculation they could be tapped as Trump’s running mate.

This weekend, Bolton praised Trump’s “serious contribution” of proposals to strengthen U.S. national security in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, crystallizing his support for the real estate tycoon.  

Bolton is splitting with many of his fellow neoconservatives and George W. Bush administration alumni by broadcasting his public support of Trump’s candidacy. Multiple hawkish former officials have either explicitly opposed Trump’s bid or stayed silent during this year’s race.

“You know, the Republican field for the nomination had 17 candidates, which means there are supporters out there of 16 disappointed candidates,” Bolton said on Tuesday. “But compared to the prospect of four years of Hillary and Bill [Clinton] back in the White House — or even worse, eight years, really — I hope everybody just thinks about that a little bit more.”

Bolton has at times criticized aspects of Trump’s policy, such as the self-proclaimed billionaire’s questioning of key alliances such as NATO.

Bolton previously advised Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign during the 2012 cycle.