The spotlight is back on John Bolton as a grand jury convenes today to weigh charges against the former national security adviser.
The case stems from allegations that Bolton improperly handled highly sensitive government documents during and after his time in the Trump administration.
FBI Raid in Maryland Triggered Investigation
Two months ago, FBI agents conducted a high-profile raid on Bolton’s Maryland home, searching for what the Department of Justice described as “highly sensitive national security” files.
The raid removed a white binder labeled ‘statements and reflections to allied strikes,’ along with typed documents filed under ‘Trump I-IV,’ four boxes of daily activity records, two iPhones, four computers, two USB drives, and several hard drives.
Agents were even authorized to use fingerprint and facial recognition to unlock certain devices.
Anticipated Indictment This Week
Sources familiar with the investigation told the New York Post that the DOJ expects to file an indictment against the 76-year-old Bolton by Wednesday or Thursday, describing the case as “airtight.”
Bolton is accused of transferring classified information to his private email account and maintaining detailed records of his daily activities while in office.
Bolton’s Controversial Tenure Under Trump
Bolton served as Trump’s national security adviser from April 2018 until September 2019, often clashing with the former president’s diplomatic approach toward rivals like North Korea and China.
His hawkish stance frequently made headlines, and he later chronicled his critiques in the 2020 memoir The Room Where It Happened, which scrutinized Trump’s foreign policy decisions during his first term.
Security Clearance Revoked Amid Investigation
Once a gatekeeper to some of the world’s most secret intelligence, Bolton had his security clearance stripped by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The investigation also examines how he used classified materials while writing his memoir.
Political Backdrop and Case Reopening
The probe initially began in 2020 but was reportedly shelved during President Joe Biden’s administration due to political considerations.
It was reopened under FBI Director Kash Patel, bringing Bolton back into the public eye amid ongoing debates about the handling of sensitive national security information.
Bolton’s Public Commentary on Trump
In recent years, Bolton has remained a frequent critic of Trump, appearing on television and in interviews to discuss foreign policy and national security matters.
His outspoken stance has made him a target of the former president, particularly since Trump returned to the political stage nine months ago.