FBI Investigates John Bolton: Trump’s Former National Security Adviser Under Scrutiny

The investigation raises questions about Bolton's controversial tenure and his criticisms of the Trump administration.

 

FBI agents executed searches at the residence and office of John Bolton, the former national security adviser to Donald Trump, amid a probe into his handling of classified documents. Bolton, who has publicly criticized Trump since resigning in 2019, previously faced allegations of misusing classified information in his 2020 memoir detailing his experiences in the White House. While sources indicated to CBS News that the investigation centers on classified materials, Bolton has yet to make any comments regarding the inquiry, and as of now, he has not been charged with any crimes.

When pressed about the investigation, Trump distanced himself from the situation, labelling Bolton a "sleazebag," while claiming he had not ordered the searches. Vice-President JD Vance, in a separate interview, acknowledged that classified documents were "certainly part of [the investigation]" but emphasized that the FBI's actions were not politically motivated, despite claims to the contrary by Democratic lawmakers.

Law enforcement vehicles were observed surrounding Bolton's Bethesda, Maryland home early Friday, with agents documented as carrying boxes into the property. The FBI confirmed it was undertaking "authorized activity" in the area, although further details were sparse. Bolton returned home later in the day but did not address the media.

Bolton's memoir, "The Room Where it Happened," published in 2020, offered a scathing critique of Trump, asserting that the former president was unfit for office. In response to Bolton's disclosures, the Justice Department had previously accused him of breaching an agreement concerning classified information, but that lawsuit was ultimately dropped in mid-2021.

FBI Director Kash Patel expressed on social media that "NO ONE is above the law," a statement that Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed, emphasizing the importance of justice in ensuring national safety. Bolton’s Secret Service protection, one of the several benefits support for former officials, was revoked by the Trump administration in early 2021 following their disputes. The fallout from Bolton's criticisms of Trump's policies, particularly regarding international military engagements, continues to resonate within political circles as similar inquiries target other Trump adversaries, further amplifying the tensions surrounding his presidency.