Bolton is expected to surrender at the federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, as soon as Friday….reports Asian Lite News
Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton, once a close ally of Donald Trump, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland for allegedly mishandling classified documents, CNN reported. The indictment lists 18 charges, including eight counts of transmission of national defense information and 10 counts of retention of such information.
According to court documents cited by CNN, Bolton allegedly shared “more than a thousand pages” of sensitive material with two unauthorized individuals—family members—who did not have security clearance. Prosecutors also noted that print-outs of Bolton’s personal diary entries were found at his residence.
Bolton reportedly maintained a record of his daily activities while serving as national security adviser, including notes stored in an AOL email account, which prosecutors claim were shared inappropriately.
Surrender and court proceedings
Bolton is expected to surrender at the federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, as soon as Friday. His case has been assigned to Judge Theodore D. Chuang, appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2014.
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the indictment, stating, “The FBI’s investigation revealed that John Bolton allegedly transmitted top secret information using personal online accounts and retained said documents in his house in direct violation of federal law. The case was based on meticulous work from dedicated career professionals at the FBI who followed the facts without fear or favor. Weaponization of justice will not be tolerated, and this FBI will stop at nothing to bring to justice anyone who threatens our national security.”
Bolton’s indictment marks the third high-profile case this month involving Trump-era figures facing federal scrutiny over classified material.
Court records indicate that FBI agents conducted raids this summer on Bolton’s Maryland residence and his Washington, DC office. The agents seized multiple documents marked “secret,” “confidential,” and “classified,” including records pertaining to weapons of mass destruction.
CNN sources suggest that part of the Justice Department’s investigation focused on Bolton sharing sensitive information with his wife and daughter via email, raising serious concerns over the protection of national security.
The indictment shines a spotlight on the handling of classified information by senior officials and underscores ongoing tensions surrounding Trump-era figures and national security protocols. Bolton now faces the prospect of a lengthy legal battle as federal authorities pursue the charges.
