In a dramatic early morning operation, federal agents raided the Bethesda, Maryland, residence of former National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Sources indicate the raid was connected to allegations that Bolton used a private email server to send sensitive national security documents to his family.
The raid began around 7 a.m., catching the attention of neighbors and media alike.
More than a dozen agents were seen carrying boxes in and out of the home, while other agents entered Bolton’s downtown Washington, D.C., office.
Allegations of Mishandling Classified Information
According to senior U.S. officials, the FBI investigation centers on Bolton allegedly sending classified documents from his government account to his wife and daughter just before President Trump fired him in September 2019.
One official told the New York Post that Bolton “was literally stealing classified information, utilizing his family as a cutout” while still serving in the White House.
The probe, which began before Trump left office, had reportedly been paused under the Biden administration but has now been revived.
FBI Director Comments on the Operation
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to reference the raid publicly on social media, posting to X: “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.”
Bolton himself has not made a statement regarding the raid.
He returned to his home on Friday evening after nearly eight hours of the operation, waving briefly to cameras but declining to answer questions.
His wife, Gretchen Smith Bolton, was seen visibly shaken during the federal search of their property.
Trump Weighs In on Bolton Raid
Former President Donald Trump, who has clashed with Bolton for years, reacted by comparing the raid to the one conducted on his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said he had no involvement in Bolton’s case but expressed disdain for his former aide.
“I purposely don’t want to really get involved in it. I’m not a fan of John Bolton,” Trump said.
“My house was raided also… So I know the feeling. It’s not a good feeling.”
Neighbors and Public Reaction
Neighbors and onlookers had strong reactions as the raid unfolded.
One self-described “nosey” neighbor, Holly, told the Daily Mail that she viewed the raid as karma catching up to Bolton, citing his role in impeachment hearings.
Meanwhile, protesters associated with the anti-Trump group #NoKings gathered outside Bolton’s home.
One demonstrator held a sign reading, “Trump uses FBI for vengeance,” and emphasized that, while they may disagree with Bolton’s politics, they defend his right to due process.
Bolton’s Contentious History with Trump
John Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, has been an outspoken critic of the former president since leaving office.
He regularly appears on television to challenge Trump’s foreign policy and national security decisions.
Trump has frequently targeted Bolton in response, labeling him a “lowlife” and questioning his intelligence.
“He doesn’t talk, he’s like a very quiet person except on television and then he can say something bad about Trump.
He’ll always do that. But he doesn’t talk, he’s very quiet,” Trump told reporters.
Investigation Reopened Under Patel
The investigation into Bolton originally started in 2020 but was reportedly halted during the Biden administration.
Patel’s FBI has now revived the high-profile case, focusing on Bolton’s alleged mishandling of classified information while in government service.
With the raid now complete and Bolton back home, the story is expected to continue unfolding, drawing attention from both media and political circles alike.
