The Times further claimed Bolton had shared a manuscript of his forthcoming book with "close associates" -- prompting Bolton's team to deny the claim, and assert that the National Security Council's [NSC's] review process of pending manuscripts is "corrupted" and prone to leaks.
The Times article suspect. Even Bolton's team denies the above claim. Second, the NSC gets the pointing finger of the leak according to Bolton's team.
Sarah Tinsley, a senior adviser to Bolton, told Fox News he had submitted a hard copy draft of his manuscript to the NSC several weeks ago for "pre-publication review," but insisted he had not shared it with anyone else. And, in a statement obtained by Fox News, Bolton attorney Charles Cooper lamented that the NSC review process had been "corrupted."
He also provided his letter to the White House concerning the manuscript.
This is a serious 'leak' if it came from the National Security Council of the United States! If we cannot even trust the council concerning our national security, the US is in dire straits.
Second:
Bolton's team declined to "speculate" to Fox News as to how a description of his manuscript might have leaked to the Times. Additionally, Bolton's representatives MADE CLEAR he was not denying the Times' claim concerning the Ukraine aid holdup and the POSSIBLE investigation of the Bidens.
Third:
The drama began earlier Sunday when the Times exclusively
REPORTED that Bolton's manuscript included a claim that Trump explicitly linked a hold on Ukraine aid to an investigation of Joe and Hunter Biden. Trump told Bolton in August, according to a transcript of Bolton's forthcoming book reviewed by the Times, "that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine until officials there helped WITH INVESTIGATIONS INTO DEMOCRATS INCLUDING THE BIDENS."
The title of the OP is misleading as even the NYT's article doesn't even say what the OP says & they put it in quotes.
Fourth:
President Trump has not been unwilling to have Bolton testify through this whole process. It would seem if he had something to hide, he would not be so willing. He denies he told Bolton that the aid was tied to an investigation into the Bidens and even the NYT's article shows that much, if it is true, which part of the story isn't, even according to Bolton.
Fifth:
Bolton says he quit; Trump says he was fired. There should be an official paper trail on who is telling the truth on this one. Again someone is lying & someone is telling the truth.
Hopefully we can get to the bottom of the remaining assertions as to which is the truth and which is not. I will not jump to any conclusions at this time and the 'we' all know what the truth is (someone must have a mouse in their pocket) people should wait until their is CONCLUSIVE evidence. But alas, most people are not impartial; their minds are already made up, on both sides of the issue.