FBI Raids John Bolton's Home Amid Classified Information Probe
The FBI raided John Bolton's home and office, investigating allegations he illegally possessed or shared classified information, potentially linked to his 2020 memoir.
What’s Next for John Bolton?
The Bulwark
The Bolton Searches –
The American Spectator
Karma Comes Calling for John Bolton –
The American Spectator
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- The FBI raided John Bolton's home and office as part of an ongoing investigation into his handling of classified information.
- This probe centers on whether Bolton illegally possessed or shared classified documents, potentially from his White House computer, related to his bestselling 2020 memoir.
- The Trump administration previously alleged that Bolton's memoir, which criticized Trump's foreign policy, contained top-secret information.
- Despite Bolton's strong Republican credentials and reputation as a rule-follower, he is being targeted by Trump's Department of Justice in this investigation.
- Legal proceedings against John Bolton have resumed following the recent FBI search of his property, indicating an active and progressing case.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by portraying John Bolton as a public servant of integrity targeted by a politically motivated FBI raid, rather than a legitimate national security investigation. They emphasize historical precedents of government overreach against authors, suggesting Bolton is being punished for bravely criticizing a former president.
"Bolton, speaking out for the first time since the FBI conducted its searches, penned an Aug. 25 op-ed in the Washington Examiner that referenced the FBI investigation as the former Trump aide resumed criticizing Trump's foreign policy on Ukraine."
USA TODAY"The legal threshold for a search warrant is probable cause, a standard of proof that is stronger than reasonable suspicion, because it requires law enforcement to believe both that a crime has been committed and that evidence of that crime is present at the property."
The Dispatch"Whatever one thinks of Bolton’s politics and policy ideas, he is a man—and a public servant—of integrity."
The BulwarkArticles (9)
Center (3)
FAQ
John Bolton is accused of possessing or sharing classified information that allegedly appears in his 2020 memoir, including items characterized as "exceptionally restricted," which could jeopardize intelligence sources and methods. The Department of Justice cited six examples of such classified items remaining in his book after publication.
The Department of Justice acknowledged that Bolton proceeded to publish his book without formal clearance through the prepublication review process. However, they also stated that many items marked as classified during review may not actually have been classified at the time Bolton wrote the manuscript, and the review was the first time some were flagged.
During a June 19 hearing, a judge criticized Bolton for proceeding to publish the book without formal clearance but expressed doubt in being able to block its publication. The court reviewed the Justice Department's evidence regarding classified information in a closed-session.
The FBI raids are part of an ongoing investigation into whether John Bolton illegally possessed or shared classified documents, possibly from his White House computer, related to his 2020 memoir. This case has resumed active legal proceedings following the raids.
The Trump administration alleged that Bolton's memoir contained top-secret information and viewed it critically because the book included criticisms of Trump's foreign policy. The Department of Justice under Trump pursued legal action based on the claimed classified content in the memoir.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.