Executive Summary
- Federal prosecutors are meeting to finalize a potential indictment against John Bolton for his handling of national security information.
- The years-long investigation involved searches of Bolton’s home and office, yielding classified documents and electronics, with some reasons for searches linked to a foreign hack of his email.
- The potential indictment of Bolton, a prominent critic of Trump, comes after Trump publicly called for him to be penalized, aligning with a trend of charges against officials Trump identifies as adversaries.
The Story So Far
- The potential indictment of former National Security Advisor John Bolton follows a years-long criminal investigation into his handling of national defense records, which intensified with recent searches and the seizure of classified documents. This development occurs within a broader political context where Bolton, a vocal critic of Donald Trump since his 2019 dismissal and the release of his critical 2020 book, has been publicly targeted by Trump, aligning with a pattern of charges against officials Trump considers adversaries.
Why This Matters
- The impending indictment of John Bolton for mishandling national security information signals significant legal consequences for the former National Security Advisor and reinforces the intense scrutiny high-ranking officials face regarding classified materials. This development also highlights the complex interplay between legal processes and political dynamics, particularly given Bolton’s public criticism of Trump and the broader context of charges against individuals Trump has identified as adversaries.
Who Thinks What?
- Federal prosecutors in the Maryland US Attorney’s Office are actively working to finalize charges for a potential indictment against John Bolton, following a years-long criminal investigation into his handling of national security information.
- Donald Trump has publicly called for Bolton to be penalized after the release of his critical 2020 book, and the potential indictment aligns with a trend of charges against government officials Trump has publicly identified as adversaries.
- John Bolton’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, consistently maintains his client’s innocence, stating that any classified records found in searches were decades old.
Federal prosecutors are meeting on Saturday to finalize the details of a potential indictment against former National Security Advisor John Bolton. The move follows a years-long criminal investigation into his handling of national security information, according to a source familiar with the inquiry.
Prosecutors in the Maryland US Attorney’s Office have now lifted their previous objections and are actively working on the charges this weekend. This development comes after they had reportedly pushed back against Justice Department political leadership last month, seeking more time to solidify their case.
Investigation Details
The criminal inquiry into Bolton’s handling of national defense records has been ongoing for years, predating President Trump’s second term in office. The potential charges would follow court-approved searches seven weeks ago, during which federal agents removed documents and electronics from Bolton’s home and office.
Investigators seized multiple documents labeled “secret,” “confidential,” and “classified,” some pertaining to weapons of mass destruction, from Bolton’s office in late August. They also took four computers and a USB flash drive from his office, alongside a collection of drives, phones, computers, and documents from his Bethesda, Maryland, residence.
Some of the reasons for these searches are reportedly linked to federal authorities’ knowledge of a foreign adversary hacking Bolton’s email years ago, according to court records.
Political Context and Department Dynamics
The Justice Department has reportedly held internal discussions regarding whether Bolton, a prominent critic of Trump, would be subjected to a “perp walk” upon arrest. Bolton served as President Trump’s national security adviser until his dismissal in 2019, leading to a notable estrangement between the two.
President Trump had publicly called for Bolton to be penalized after the release of his 2020 book, which offered critical insights into Trump’s foreign policy decisions. The potential indictment of Bolton aligns with a recent trend of charges against government officials whom Trump has publicly identified as adversaries, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Despite the broader political context, prosecutors within the Justice Department reportedly view the Bolton case differently from the Comey and James cases, which have faced more internal resistance. Bolton’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, has consistently maintained his client’s innocence, stating that any classified records found were decades old. Both Bolton and James share a criminal defense attorney.
Looking Ahead
The finalization of charges against John Bolton represents a significant step in a prolonged investigation into national security information. This development highlights the ongoing scrutiny of former government officials and the complex interplay between legal processes and political dynamics.
