Former national security adviser John Bolton is on the verge of facing federal charges in connection with a national security investigation, according to two officials familiar with the situation.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Maryland, where Bolton resides, is expected to bring the charges soon, potentially as early as next week.
This development was first reported by MSNBC, escalating the scrutiny surrounding Bolton since the FBI conducted searches of his Maryland home and Washington, D.C., office in August.
These searches were part of an investigation focusing on Bolton’s handling of classified records, suggesting possible violations related to national defense information.
Bolton’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, stated that the materials in question had been handled appropriately and that Bolton had fulfilled his legal obligations concerning classified information.
Lowell emphasized that the records pertain to Bolton’s extensive career in government and include documents reviewed as part of a pre-publication check for his book.
The investigation also received information from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, which was relayed to FBI Director Kash Patel and formed the basis for the search warrant.
Bolton’s tenure as a national security adviser was marked by tension, leading to his exit from the Trump administration.
The FBI searches were said to be focused on potential leaks of classified information to media outlets, part of a broader criminal investigation that began during the Biden administration.
Charges of potential violations of the Espionage Act were referenced in the search warrant affidavits, specifically relating to the unauthorized possession or sharing of classified materials.
Former President Donald Trump had previously called for Bolton to be prosecuted after Bolton published an unflattering book about his time in the administration.
Trump claimed Bolton had released sensitive classified information, which prompted his remarks that such actions are illegal and punishable by imprisonment.
In response, Bolton argued that he had complied with the law, citing a letter he received from the National Security Council indicating that his book did not contain classified material.
This impending indictment of Bolton marks a significant moment, especially as President Trump himself has faced legal challenges, including a 2023 indictment for mishandling classified documents and obstruction of justice.
However, a Trump-appointed judge recently dismissed those charges in 2024.
Since Bolton’s public criticism of Trump, particularly regarding foreign policy issues, he has become a notable critic of the former president.
Trump has responded with vitriol, labeling Bolton as a “lowlife” and a “dumb” individual.
In a notable incident, during Trump’s second term, he ceased Bolton’s Secret Service protection, despite Bolton being the target of an alleged assassination plot connected to a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Bolton would not be the first Trump critic to face legal repercussions this month, as both former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James have also been indicted.
Comey was charged with making a false statement to Congress and obstructing justice, while James faced bank fraud allegations.
These legal actions follow a social media post by Trump, urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against Comey, James, and other Trump critics, declaring them “guilty as hell.”
Both Comey and James have denied any wrongdoing, with Comey pleading not guilty to his charges.
As the situation evolves, observers note the potential implications for the ongoing political landscape and the relationships between key figures in Trump’s circle and his adversaries.
The legal challenges facing both Bolton and other Trump critics symbolize the contentious political environment and highlight the intensifying scrutiny over the handling of classified information by former officials.
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