Bolton lambasted Gorka as a "conman" and suggested that his appointment would negatively impact the nation’s counter-terrorism efforts.

Trump has lauded Gorka, an immigrant from Hungary, as a "tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement." However, Bolton, a seasoned neoconservative who has held positions in the Reagan, George W. Bush, and initial Trump administrations, has emerged as a vocal critic of multiple Trump appointees. Notably, he has expressed opposition to former Democrat and Iraq veteran Tulsi Gabbard’s potential appointment as director of national intelligence, asserting that he "wouldn't have him [Gorka] in any US government."

In a conversation with NewsNation's The Hill earlier this week, Bolton criticized Gabbard's nomination, initially considering it the most poorly judged cabinet selection in recent history, until Trump's pick of Gorka. Democratic National Committee spokesperson Alex Floyd echoed Bolton’s sentiments, labeling Gorka a "far-right extremist" and questioning his qualifications and capability in leading America's counter-terrorism efforts.

Gorka has been a vocal supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has faced allegations of Islamophobia, particularly due to his support for Trump's 2017 Muslim travel ban. This ban restricted entry into the U.S. for 90 days for travelers from countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Gorka has controversially claimed that Islam is "not a religion of peace."

His appearance at Trump's 2017 inaugural ball, where he wore an honorary medal from the Hungarian nationalist organization Vitézi Rend, and his prior advisory role to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, have also attracted criticism. Bolton has called for a thorough FBI background check into Gorka’s past and scrutinized his educational credentials.

Bolton suggested that Gorka's appointment was driven solely by Trump’s favor, rather than merit or loyalty to the nation. "He doesn't display loyalty. He displays fealty. And that's what Trump wants," Bolton stated, concluding that Trump seeks individuals who will simply agree with him unreservedly.