Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton was charged Thursday with illegally storing and transmitting classified information, setting the stage for a high-profile court case involving the longtime Republican foreign policy figure and outspoken critic of Donald Trump.
The 18-count indictment follows an investigation that came into public view in August, when the FBI searched Bolton’s home in Maryland and his Washington office for classified records from his years in government. Agents reportedly seized multiple documents labeled “classified,” “confidential,” and “secret,” including material on weapons of mass destruction, strategic communication, and U.S. missions to the United Nations.
Bolton, who served as Trump’s third national security adviser in 2018–2019, had a longstanding career in government, including roles in the Justice Department under Reagan, arms control at the State Department under George W. Bush, and a temporary stint as U.S. ambassador to the UN.
Questions about his handling of sensitive information date back to the 2020 publication of his book, The Room Where It Happened, which criticized Trump’s foreign policy knowledge. The Trump administration contended the manuscript contained classified material that could threaten national security, while Bolton’s lawyers argued that the book had undergone pre-publication review and included many documents approved by the White House, some dating back decades.
The indictment emerges amid scrutiny over Justice Department actions against high-profile figures. Unlike some cases filed by politically appointed prosecutors, Bolton’s charges were brought by a career U.S. attorney in Maryland, highlighting a difference in process compared with other recent high-profile investigations.
During his brief tenure in the Trump White House, Bolton clashed with the president over North Korea, Iran, and Ukraine policy, ultimately resigning in September 2019. After leaving office, he publicly criticized Trump and alleged in his book that the president linked military aid to Ukraine with investigations into Joe Biden, Trump’s 2020 election rival. Trump responded by calling Bolton a “washed-up guy” and claiming the book contained “highly classified information” published without approval.
The case marks a dramatic chapter in Bolton’s long career in U.S. foreign policy and national security. Observers are closely watching the developments, as the trial will test both legal boundaries on the handling of classified material and the ongoing political tensions surrounding Trump-era officials.
Tags: John Bolton, Trump Administration, Classified Documents, National Security, FBI Investigation, The Room Where It Happened, 2025 Indictments, U.S. Politics.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as...
Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and transfer control of...
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement betwe...
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, unde...
Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leade...
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
Israel and Lebanon are discussing a U.S.-backed proposal that would see Israeli forces withdraw from parts of southern Lebanon and transfer control of those areas to the Lebanese army, according to officials from both sides.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. However, Iranian officials insist access to key facilities remains contingent on a final deal and the lifting of sanctions.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Authorities in France are reporting that about 20 people have died over the weekend while swimming in unsupervised areas of rivers, lakes and coastal waters as they tried to escape the heatwave.
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said inspections in Iran will resume in the near future following an interim peace agreement between Tehran and Washington. However, Iranian officials insist access to key facilities remains contingent on a final deal and the lifting of sanctions.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
Andy Burnham's path to Downing Street appeared to become clearer on Wednesday after another potential challenger ruled himself out of the Labour leadership race.
Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), faces possible removal from office after a key oversight body concluded he engaged in serious misconduct involving a junior staff member.
France has confirmed its first Ebola case linked to the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a doctor returning from a humanitarian mission tested positive for the virus, the health ministry said on Wednesday (24 June).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment