John Bolton, who served as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser and later became a vocal critic, found his properties searched by the FBI.
The searches occurred as part of an ongoing investigation, and it was clarified that Bolton was not taken into custody and has not been charged with any crimes.
This development marks a significant action by the Justice Department against a perceived adversary of President Trump, raising concerns about the potential politicization of law enforcement.
The FBI’s investigation into Bolton aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to scrutinize critics, including a grand jury inquiry into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe that overshadowed his presidency.
In a spontaneous interaction with reporters at the White House Historical Association, President Trump remarked that he anticipated receiving updates from the Justice Department regarding the searches but preferred not to be informed.
He emphasized, “I could know about it. I could be the one starting it. I’m actually the chief law enforcement officer. But I feel that it’s better this way.”
Reflecting on the climate of scrutiny surrounding dissenters, Bolton acknowledged earlier this year that he was conscious of potential retribution, stating, “Anybody who ever disagrees with Trump has to worry about retribution. It’s a pretty long list.”
An FBI search necessitates authorization from a federal magistrate.
While the exact grounds for probable cause presented to the judge remain undisclosed, there was a previous investigation into whether Bolton disclosed classified material in a book manuscript he authored.
Although that inquiry had concluded, it underscores the tense relationship between Bolton and the Trump administration.
Vice President JD Vance, in an interview with NBC News, dismissed allegations that Bolton was targeted for his critical stance against Trump.
“If there’s no crime here, we’re not going to prosecute it. If there is a crime here, of course, Ambassador Bolton will get his day in court,” Vance stated.
At the time of the search, Bolton was not present at his residence.
However, he was seen at his office in Washington, conversing with individuals from the FBI, as agents were noted entering the building through a rear entrance with equipment.
Attempts to reach Bolton’s spokesperson remained unanswered, and his legal counsel had no immediate comments to offer.
The Justice Department refrained from commenting on the searches, but officials hinted at the actions through social media postings.
FBI Director Kash Patel, in a recent publication, described Bolton as a member of the “Executive Branch Deep State” and asserted that “NO ONE is above the law.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi further reinforced this message by sharing Patel’s post and stating, “America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.”
In contrast, the Justice Department is reportedly conducting mortgage fraud inquiries involving Democratic officials such as Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Both Schiff and James deny any allegations of wrongdoing.
The searches targeting Bolton coincided with the broader scrutiny surrounding the retrieval of classified documents from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which stirred controversy and anger among Trump’s supporters.
Patel characterized the Mar-a-Lago inquiry as indicative of the “weaponization and politicization” of law enforcement agencies.
Trump echoed these sentiments during the mentioned press interaction, stating, “I guess his house was raided today, but my house was raided, also.”
The relationship between Bolton and Trump has been strained for years.
Bolton served as the national security adviser for 17 months, during which time he frequently clashed with Trump over various foreign policy issues, including Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan.
Concerns regarding his book, “The Room Where It Happened,” emerged during Trump’s presidency as it was perceived to contain classified information.
The Justice Department, in 2020, claimed to possess evidence from senior officials asserting that Bolton’s manuscript could jeopardize national security if made public.
However, Bolton’s team maintained that he proceeded with publication after receiving assurances from White House officials that the manuscript no longer contained classified information.
In 2021, the Biden administration’s Justice Department decided to cease its legal actions against Bolton, a move his lawyers deemed politically motivated.
Bolton’s criticisms of Trump in his book depicted the former president as profoundly uninformed on matters of foreign policy, with accusations of conspiracy thinking.
In response to Bolton’s memoir, Trump disparaged him as a “crazy” warmonger, suggesting that such behavior could lead the nation into unnecessary conflicts.
Bolton’s career has included significant roles in various administrations, including his term as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President George W. Bush.
He also previously participated in the Reagan administration and considered presidential runs in both 2012 and 2016.
The ongoing investigations reflect the contentious issues surrounding the handling of classified information among high-ranking officials, with current scrutiny also extending to President Joe Biden regarding classified documents from his vice presidency.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also faced inquiry over classified documents found at his residence.
Despite the intense investigations, neither Biden nor Pence has faced charges related to these matters.
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