The FBI searched the Bethesda, Maryland, home and the Washington office of former Trump National Security Adviser John R. Bolton as part of an investigation into his handling of classified records, according to people familiar with the matter. Here’s what you need to know about the federal investigation:
The FBI search operation
Federal agents target Bolton’s properties for classified records investigation:
- FBI searched Bolton’s Bethesda, Maryland, home and Washington office as part of investigation into his handling of classified records
- Operation conducted according to people familiar with the matter
- Bolton has not been charged with any crimes and has not been detained, according to Associated Press
- FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to request for comment
The Trump administration response
President and Vice President address Bolton investigation:
- President Trump said Friday he didn’t know raid of Bolton’s house was coming, but slammed him as “low life” who’s “very bad at what he does”
- “He is … not a smart guy. But he could be very, a very unpatriotic guy. We’re going to find out,” Trump said
- Vice President J.D. Vance denied investigation into Bolton is because he’s Trump critic
- “If there’s no crime here, we’re not going to prosecute it. If there is a crime here, of course, [Mr.] Bolton will get his day in court,” Vance told NBC’s “Meet the Press”
The Justice Department messaging
FBI Director and Attorney General signal law enforcement priority:
- “NO ONE is above the law,” FBI Director Kash Patel said on X at 7 a.m. Friday, around same time raid began
- Attorney General Pam Bondi shared his post and cryptically added, “America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.”
- Vance said Justice Department would brief him later Friday
- Timing of social media posts coincided with search operation
The previous legal battles
Bolton faced earlier probe during Trump’s first term:
- Justice Department during Trump’s first term sued Bolton and launched criminal probe into whether he unlawfully disclosed classified information in his book
- Book was scathing critique of Trump administration
- President Biden’s Justice Department dropped lawsuit and grand jury investigation in 2021
- Bolton has long professed his innocence and claimed probe was example of Trump using Justice Department to attack perceived enemies
The book controversy details
Bolton’s memoir sparked classified information dispute:
- Bolton was Trump’s third national security adviser for 17 months and repeatedly clashed with him over Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea
- Later came under fire by Trump administration for book he wrote about his time in government, which officials said disclosed classified information
- Bolton’s lawyers said he moved forward with book after White House National Security Council official assured him manuscript did not contain classified information
- In book, Bolton portrayed Trump as grossly ill-informed about foreign policy and said he “saw conspiracies behind rocks”
The personal attacks exchange
Trump and Bolton traded harsh criticisms:
- Bolton said Trump was “stunningly uninformed” about how to run White House, much less government
- Trump fired back that Bolton was “crazy” warmonger hell-bent on leading America into another war
- Bolton has gone from being top Trump adviser to one of his fiercest critics
- Spokesperson for Bolton declined to comment on current investigation
The retribution presidency claims
Bolton alleges Trump targeting critics systematically:
- On his first day in office, Trump revoked Bolton’s security clearance as well as his Secret Service protection
- Bolton told ABC News this month that Trump administration had “already come after” him by taking away his Secret Service protection
- “I think it is a retribution presidency,” Bolton said
- Since returning to office, Trump has targeted his most vocal critics, including Democrats and law firms that sued his first administration
The broader investigation pattern
Federal officials launch probes into multiple Trump critics:
- Federal officials have launched mortgage fraud probes into Sen. Adam B. Schiff, California Democrat, and New York Attorney General Letitia James
- Both Schiff and James have denied any wrongdoing
- James sued Trump and his company in civil court
- Pattern suggests systematic approach to investigating Trump’s perceived enemies
The Bolton background
Former adviser’s extensive government service history:
- Prior to time in Trump administration, Bolton served as U.S. ambassador to United Nations under President George W. Bush
- Held national security positions in President Reagan’s administration
- In 2022, Iranian operative was charged in plot to kill Bolton in presumed retaliation for a January 2020 U.S. airstrike that killed one of Iran’s top generals
- Extensive foreign policy and national security experience spanning multiple administrations
Read more:
• FBI raids home, office of former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
