Bolton on Syria: President has "amazing confusion," red line was "mistake" Former UN Ambassador John Bolton said on "America's News Headquarters" Saturday that there appears to be "amazing confusion" on the president's part about how to handle the Syria crisis and reports of chemical weapon use. The president, in remarks at the White House last August, made clear the United State's position on chemical weapons in the battle-worn state: even chemical weapon movement would cross a red line. "I personally think having issued the red line in the first place was a mistake," Bolton said. The former ambassador's comments come a day after the Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel discussed positioning military assets near Syria. The president met Saturday with his National Security team at the White House to discuss a Syria response if reports of chemical weapon use are deemed accurate.