Big Update After FBI Raids John Bolton’s Properties
Federal agents searched John Bolton’s Bethesda home and Washington office last week, reviving a years-old inquiry into whether the former national security adviser mishandled classified material.
The investigation gained new traction under the Biden administration after intelligence agencies reviewed information supplied by a foreign adversary’s spy service, the New York Times reported.
Federal judges approved warrants permitting agents to search Bolton’s properties after prosecutors argued they had grounds to believe he retained material tied to intercepted communications, according to people familiar with the matter.
No charges have been filed.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X, “NO ONE is above the law.”
Deputy Director Dan Bongino echoed the message, adding, “Public corruption will not be tolerated.”
The Justice Department under Trump tried to block the release of Bolton’s memoir in 2020, arguing it revealed sensitive information.
A judge indicated classified details may have been disclosed but allowed publication to proceed. The criminal inquiry then quieted until years later, when new intelligence from foreign intercepts prompted fresh action.
During Trump’s second term, CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed Patel on the intercepted emails.
Officials concluded that the unsecure correspondence included classified content drawn from secure materials.
The Times reported that Bolton has begun consulting with defense attorney Abbe Lowell, who also represents other prominent figures facing federal scrutiny.
In a recent Washington Examiner column, Bolton mentioned the raid briefly while criticizing Trump’s handling of Ukraine.
The searches have stirred debate over whether Trump is directing federal authorities to pursue critics.
Trump addressed the issue last week, saying, “I’m not a fan of John Bolton. He’s really sort of a lowlife. He is not a smart guy. But he could be a very unpatriotic guy. We’re going to find out.”
The Justice Department has not said whether additional warrants will be sought or if further searches are planned.
Officials familiar with the case have not indicated whether prosecutors are moving toward an indictment.
The renewed investigation comes as Trump’s administration has pressed the intelligence community to revisit past disputes over leaks and disclosures involving top officials.
Bolton, who served as national security adviser until 2019, has long been a vocal critic of Trump’s foreign policy.
His memoir, The Room Where It Happened, drew heavy fire from the White House when it was released four years ago.
Trump administration officials argued at the time that the book exposed sensitive material about foreign leaders and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The new inquiry is focused less on Bolton’s published work and more on whether he improperly retained or transmitted information from classified sources.
The FBI has not said what was taken in last week’s searches. Court filings connected to the warrants remain under seal.
The decision to move forward with the raids underscores how seriously federal authorities view the foreign intelligence intercepts. Analysts familiar with the case said such intercepts are rarely acted upon without corroborating evidence.
It remains unclear whether the intercepted communications referenced in court filings were directly authored by Bolton or tied to his associates. The case has fueled speculation that other former officials could face similar scrutiny.
Patel and Bongino’s public remarks suggested the bureau intends to pursue such cases aggressively.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Bolton since their falling out in 2019, questioning his judgment and loyalty.
Bolton has continued to speak out on foreign policy issues, frequently appearing in print and broadcast outlets.
The latest developments put him back at the center of Washington controversy at a time when Trump has sought to assert greater control over intelligence agencies. Observers said the outcome of the Bolton probe could set a precedent for how aggressively the administration pursues classified leaks involving former officials.
For now, the case remains open, with Bolton’s legal team bracing for further moves by federal prosecutors.
