Former National Security Adviser John Bolton might have committed a crime if he didn't clear his book with the National Security Council, Brig. Gen. Robert S .Spalding told Newsmax TV.
"If the National Security Council did not approve his book, according to the agreement with his employer, he's not supposed to leak that or release that," Spalding told Wednesday's "The Chris Salcedo Show."
The book contains several stunning claims, including President Donald Trump pleaded with Chinese President Xi Jinping to help get reelected.
Bolton said he submitted his manuscript to the NSC to get approval, but the Trump administration denies that claim.
When Spalding wrote his book "Stealth War: How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept," he said he followed that procedure. But if Bolton did not go through the proper channels, he could face serious consequences.
"If it has classified information, that's just a crime," Spalding said.
Spalding also weighed in on the draping of a Black Lives Matter flag in front of the U.S. embassy in South Korea. He said that act was inappropriate and should lead to someone getting disciplined.
"It's not appropriate; Black Lives Matter is a political movement; it is aligned with the Democratic party," Spalding said. "It has some Marxist features to it. So, there's no place in that for promoting any political party or any political stance, at all.
He added, "It's a federal property.
"It should not have been flown, and I think there ought to be consequences or at least training, for our federal employees to know . . . you can not promote a political party or a political movement."
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