Trump is alleging that the publication of Bolton's book will endanger "national security." But Bolton's book has already been published. There are people who have already read it. There are reviews of the book being published.

That means that the things in the book that Trump asserts are going to threaten "national security" are already out there in the public domain. Presumably, the U.S. national-security establishment's official "adversaries," "enemies," "rivals," and "opponents" are aware of them.

So, has the United States fallen into the ocean? Has the federal government been taken over by the Reds, the terrorists, the Muslims, Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, ISIS, al-Qaeda, Iran, Syria, or any other foreign force? Are there foreign invading armies landing on the shores of the East Coast, West Coast, or southern or northern borders of the United States?

Actually, none of the above. So, what does a threat to "national security" actually mean?

Ever since the U.S. government was converted to a national-security state after World War II, that term — "national security" — has been the most important term in the political lexicon of the American people. For more than 70 years, American political life has revolved around "national security."