Yet we also have to wonder what happened to honor in public service. Presidents should have some expectation that their advisers will wait until they kiss and tell, especially about their private conversations with foreign leaders. It used to be that advisers wouldn’t write about the Presidents they served until they had left office.

These days too many advisers bid for fame the minute they leave the White House, and Mr. Bolton has managed to do so in the middle of a re-election campaign. Mr. Trump didn’t treat him well, but the President treats few people well beyond his immediate family. Mr. Bolton certainly knew what to expect when he accepted the job.

Even if his motivation in publishing his book now is to block Mr. Trump’s re-election, there’s no reason for Mr. Bolton to disclose private comments by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. All he’s doing is undermining Mr. Pompeo’s ability to influence Mr. Trump away from bad policy mistakes. Mr. Bolton’s book is a blot on his distinguished career, and the contents will not help his country no matter who wins the November election.