Former National Security Adviser John Bolton Faces Imminent Federal Charges

John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump, is anticipated to face federal charges soon, according to two federal officials familiar with the matter. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland, where Bolton resides, is expected to bring the charges, with an indictment possibly as early as next week.

In August, the FBI conducted searches at Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington, D.C., office as part of a national security investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified records. The searches were reportedly prompted by intelligence provided by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to FBI Director Kash Patel, focusing on Bolton's handling of classified materials and potential leaks to the media.

Bolton's attorney, Abbe Lowell, has stated that any documents with classified markings in Bolton's possession date back to his tenure as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during the George W. Bush administration and are typical for long-time government employees. The Department of Justice has declined to comment on grand jury matters, emphasizing their commitment to pursuing justice in every case.

Bolton has been a vocal critic of President Trump, particularly regarding foreign policy decisions involving Russia. Following the searches, he continued to criticize the administration's approach to Ukraine, highlighting ongoing policy disarray.

If indicted, Bolton would be the third Trump critic to face criminal charges since late September, following former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Both have denied wrongdoing in their respective cases.