John Bolton, who once served as Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser, has been indicted in a federal investigation involving the alleged mishandling of classified materials, according to insider reports.
Bolton, a well-known figure in U.S. foreign policy circles and a frequent critic of Trump since leaving his administration, reportedly became the focus of an FBI probe earlier this year. The investigation surfaced publicly when FBI agents searched his Maryland home and Washington office in August, reportedly uncovering several documents marked “classified,” “confidential,” and “secret.”
According to unsealed court filings, the seized materials are believed to include information on weapons of mass destruction, national strategic communications, and matters relating to the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
Background of the Case
The indictment represents a major turn in Bolton’s decades-long career in government. He previously held key roles in the Reagan and George W. Bush administrations, including as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and was later chosen by Trump in 2018 as his third National Security Adviser.
However, Bolton’s relationship with Trump was turbulent from the start. The two frequently clashed over issues such as Iran, North Korea, and Ukraine, ultimately leading to Bolton’s dismissal in 2019.
After leaving office, Bolton became one of Trump’s fiercest critics, publishing his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which described Trump as uninformed and impulsive on foreign policy matters. The Trump administration accused Bolton of exposing classified national security information in the book.
Bolton’s legal team insists that the manuscript was cleared by a National Security Council official before publication. They also maintain that the materials seized by the FBI in 2025 were largely decades old and had already gone through official pre-publication review.
A Politically Charged Climate
This indictment comes amid growing concerns that Trump’s Justice Department is being used to target political opponents. In recent months, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James have also faced federal charges both of which they deny.
Notably, Bolton’s case was filed in Maryland by a career federal prosecutor, rather than by one of Trump’s newly appointed attorneys. This has fueled speculation about whether the case is driven by genuine national security concerns or broader political motives.
A Defining Moment for a Long Career
For John Bolton, who has spent over four decades shaping U.S. foreign policy, this indictment could be a defining chapter. From advocating a hardline approach to Iran and North Korea to publicly denouncing his former boss, Bolton’s journey from Washington insider to outspoken critic has been anything but quiet.
As the legal process unfolds, the case will likely become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over government transparency, political retribution, and the handling of classified intelligence.
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