SaltyNZ:

 

...is about as shocking as finding out he uses fake tan lotion.

 

WHAT??!! But it looks so natural.

As recently as February 28, John Bolton published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal advocating a pre-emptive strike on North Korea:

 

Wall Street Journal - The Legal Case for Striking North Korea First

 

Does the necessity of self-defense leave ‘no choice of means, and no moment of deliberation’?

 

By John Bolton    Feb. 28, 2018

 

Others are more optimistic:

The Atlantic - John Bolton Is Misunderstood

"The actual track record of Trump’s next national-security adviser offers cause for cautious optimism."

Let's hope that "cautious optimism" wins.  

There is no "legal case" for preemptively striking North Korea:

The Chinese have made their position on the matter very clear:

 

China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten US soil first and the US retaliates, China will stay neutral. If the US and South Korea carry out strikes and try to overthrow the North Korean regime and change the political pattern of the Korean Peninsula, China will prevent them from doing so.

China opposes both nuclear proliferation and war in the Korean Peninsula. It will not encourage any side to stir up military conflict, and will firmly resist any side which wants to change the status quo of the areas where China's interests are concerned. It is hoped that both Washington and Pyongyang can exercise restraint. The Korean Peninsula is where the strategic interests of all sides converge, and no side should try to be the absolute dominator of the region.

 

Source  : Editorial in the Chinese state-owned Global Times - which is how the Chinese government gets diplomatic messages across when they want an audience.

I expect Bolton may have been influential on the US decision to expel 60 Russians.  This might "annoy" Putin, but OTOH not nearly as much as what the US should be doing - tightening sanctions.

CNBC - Here are the lawyers who quit or declined to represent Trump in the Mueller probe

 

• The legal team representing President Trump in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation has seen numerous departures since its formation last summer.
• A bevy of lawyers have reportedly been asked to join the team, but no new hires have been announced.
• A number of the potential hires cited conflicts of interest.

Fred99:

 

There is no "legal case" for preemptively striking North Korea:

 

The Chinese have made their position on the matter very clear:

 

Xi and KJU summit meeting today.

Side note that Russia is also planning a new bridge over the Tumen river.

I do feel that donald trump is way out of his depth dealing with KJU, Putin, Xi.

B-grade TV celebrity, huckster, serial BS artist / renowned liar is up against seasoned pros.

Fred99:

 

... I do feel that donald trump is way out of his depth dealing with KJU, Putin, Xi.

 

B-grade TV celebrity, huckster, serial BS artist / renowned liar is up against seasoned pros.

 

+1

He's been way out of his depth for 50 years - now he's just a "useful idiot" for the Russians, Chinese and North Koreans.

I don't feel sorry for Trump, but I pity the idiots who elected him - and the others who did not.

6. Trump University was a disaster.

linw:

 

6. Trump University was a disaster.

 

7.  His personal life.  A mallard duck has more honour and a baboon more dignity.

Fred99:

 

linw:

 

6. Trump University was a disaster.

 

 

7.  His personal life.  A mallard duck has more honour and a baboon more dignity.

 

+2

Fred99:

 

<snip>

 

7.  His personal life.  A mallard duck has more honour and a baboon more dignity.

 

The baboon's popularity ratings have just gone up by seven points.

Why Are Trump’s Approval Ratings on the Rise?

WARNING! Depressing reading ahead ...

 

Two surveys ... one from CNN and the other from the Associated Press - both showed the president’s job approval rating jumping seven points in the last month.
Both ... had the same numbers both months: 35 percent in February and 42 percent in March.

 

The baboons will get the government they deserve.

What do George Bush and Harry Truman have in common?   Both responsible for starting disastrous and unnecessary wars that have had long term consequences for the whole World.

The best hope for Nth.  Korea giving up its nukes will be if China gives a very clear message to Trump that any attack on Nth Korea or attempt at regime change will result in China intervening.

Well according to CNN at the summit in China he said

 

• Kim said he was committed to denuclearization but with conditions, Xinhua reported

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/27/asia/north-korea-kim-jong-un-china-visit/index.html

I suspect because while people could sort of work out how Obama might behave, Trump is just such an unknown quantity with such unpredictable behaviour, Kim went to Beijing to seek advice on how to handle him and China was none the wiser!

So at least make noises that might appeal to Trump and his itchy trigger finger. The thing with Trump is that he might actually follow up on his threats!