John Bolton Indicted for Alleged Mishandling of Classified Information

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland on 18 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified information. The charges include eight counts of transmission and ten counts of unlawful retention of national defense information. The indictment alleges that between April 2018 and August 2025, Bolton shared over a thousand pages of sensitive documents, some classified as high as Top Secret, with two individuals lacking the necessary security clearances. These documents reportedly contained intelligence on foreign adversaries and U.S. covert operations.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, "There is one tier of justice for all Americans. Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law."

Bolton, who served as National Security Advisor from April 2018 to September 2019, has been a vocal critic of President Trump since leaving the administration. In response to the indictment, Bolton asserted that he has "become the latest target in weaponizing the Justice Department" and expressed his intention to "defend my lawful conduct and to expose his abuse of power."

This indictment follows recent charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom have also been critical of President Trump. Legal experts note that while the timing raises questions about political motivations, the detailed allegations against Bolton suggest a potentially stronger case compared to the others.

The indictment further reveals that Bolton's personal email was compromised by a cyber actor believed to be associated with Iran, who gained access to the classified information he had transmitted.

If convicted, Bolton faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count. The case is being investigated by the FBI's Baltimore Field Office and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, along with the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.