Former national security adviser John Bolton from the Trump administration is facing charges from a federal grand jury for allegedly mishandling classified documents. The indictment accuses him of sharing sensitive government information with his wife and daughter for potential inclusion in a book he was writing.
Prosecutors claim that Bolton shared information obtained from meetings with senior US officials, discussions with foreign leaders, and intelligence briefings through emails with his relatives. The indictment suggests that discussions were held on incorporating this material into a planned book project, with Bolton referring to his wife and daughter as his “editors.”
In response to the charges, Bolton denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing his dedication to America’s foreign policy and national security over his four-decade career. The case came to light when the FBI searched Bolton’s home and office in August, uncovering classified files related to national security.
The indictment against Bolton includes 18 criminal counts for mishandling classified material, with charges ranging from transmission to retention of national defense information. If convicted on all counts, Bolton could face a lengthy prison sentence.
Former President Donald Trump expressed surprise at Bolton’s indictment, labeling him as a “bad person.” Bolton’s attorney asserted that he did not unlawfully share or store any information, noting that the allegations stemmed from unclassified materials shared with close family members.
Bolton’s handling of classified information had previously drawn scrutiny during a legal battle over his memoir, “The Room Where It Happened,” which portrayed Trump unfavorably on foreign policy matters. Before joining the Trump administration, Bolton had a reputation as a staunch foreign policy hawk, having served in senior roles in previous Republican administrations. Despite his resignation from the Trump White House in 2019, Bolton and Trump continued their public feud, exchanging accusations and criticisms.