FBI Raids John Bolton's Properties in Classified Information Probe
FBI agents raided former National Security Adviser John Bolton's properties, investigating alleged mishandling of classified information in his 2020 memoir, a national security probe.
Overview
FBI agents conducted court-authorized raids at 7 a.m. on former National Security Adviser John Bolton's Maryland home and Washington office.
The raids are part of a national security investigation into Bolton's alleged mishandling of classified information contained within his 2020 memoir.
President Trump's Justice Department initially launched a criminal inquiry and lawsuit, aiming to block the book's publication due to national security concerns.
FBI Director Kash Patel ordered the search, emphasizing legal accountability for all, despite the Biden administration later closing the broader investigation.
Bolton, who served as Trump's National Security Adviser from 2018-2019, had become a prominent critic of the president's foreign policy decisions.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by highlighting the FBI's search of John Bolton's home and office for classified records. While largely factual, some sources editorially connect the "extraordinary move" to former President Trump's recent pressure on the Justice Department and his long-standing animosity towards Bolton, subtly suggesting a political context for the investigation's timing.
Sources (58)
FAQ
The FBI raids are part of an investigation into allegations that John Bolton mishandled classified information, including sending classified documents to his family via a private email server and possibly concealing information related to his 2020 memoir.
John Bolton was not arrested or taken into custody following the raids and has not been charged with any crimes as of the time of the reports.
The criminal inquiry and lawsuit related to Bolton's memoir were initially launched by President Trump's Justice Department, aiming to block the book’s publication due to national security concerns. FBI Director Kash Patel, appointed during the Trump administration, ordered the raid.
Donald Trump said he was unaware of the raids before seeing news coverage on television and expressed disdain for Bolton, who had become a prominent critic of Trump’s foreign policy decisions.
John Bolton could face significant prison time, potentially between 5 to 20 years for charges including concealing classified information or obstructing justice. Each document mishandled can carry its own charge with a possible 10-year sentence.
History
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