FBI Conducts Search at Former National Security Adviser John Bolton's Residence

On the morning of August 22, 2025, FBI agents conducted a search at the Bethesda, Maryland, residence of John Bolton, who served as National Security Adviser under former President Donald Trump. The operation is part of a national security investigation concerning the handling of classified information.

FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the operation, stating, "NO ONE is above the law... @FBI agents on mission." Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed this sentiment, adding, "America's safety isn't negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always."

Bolton, who held his advisory role from April 2018 until his departure in September 2019, has been a vocal critic of Trump since leaving the administration. In 2020, he published a memoir titled "The Room Where It Happened," which detailed his tenure and was critical of Trump's foreign policy decisions. The book's release led to legal challenges from the Trump administration, alleging the disclosure of classified information; however, these cases were dropped in 2021.

Earlier this year, President Trump revoked Bolton's security clearance and canceled his protective detail, actions perceived as targeting political adversaries. The current investigation underscores ongoing tensions between the former president and his critics.