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Former National Security Advisor John Bolton surrendered to federal authorities on Friday following his indictment on 18 counts concerning the mishandling of classified documents. He likened President Donald Trump’s Justice Department to Joseph Stalin’s secret police while preparing to appear before a judge in Maryland.
Bolton, who was Trump’s national security adviser from 2018 to 2019, was seen by reporters leaving his home in Bethesda and entering the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland. He declined to comment when approached by the media.
The indictment, made public on Thursday, alleges that Bolton transmitted and retained over 1,000 pages of classified diary entries marked at the TOP SECRET/SCI level. Federal prosecutors claim he sent these materials to two relatives—reportedly his wife and daughter—who were not authorized to access them. Additionally, he is accused of failing to inform the FBI about a compromise of his personal email account in a 2021 cyberattack, which was allegedly conducted by Iran.
The charging documents state, “From April 9, 2018, through August 22, 2025, Bolton abused his position by sharing national defense-related information, including classified intelligence, with two unauthorized individuals.”
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the evidence, stating that Bolton “transmitted top secret information using personal online accounts and retained said documents in his house in direct violation of federal law.” He described the investigation as a result of “meticulous work” by career agents and asserted that “weaponization of justice will not be tolerated.”
Bolton strongly refuted the charges, claiming they are politically motivated. “I have become the latest target in weaponizing the Justice Department against those deemed enemies, with charges that were previously declined or facts distorted,” he stated. He also referenced Trump, saying, “Then came Trump 2, who embodies what Joseph Stalin’s head of secret police once said, ‘You show me the man, and I’ll show you the crime.'”
Bolton believes the charges are a form of retribution stemming from the release of his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which criticized Trump’s foreign policy. The first Trump administration attempted to block the book’s publication, claiming it contained classified information, but the Biden Justice Department later chose not to prosecute.
Bolton’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, told the Associated Press that Bolton’s writings were personal reflections and not acts of espionage. “Bolton kept diaries — that is not a crime. He did not unlawfully share or store any information. These facts were known to the FBI years ago,” Lowell stated.
In his statement, Bolton asserted that the case reflects a broader attempt by Trump to suppress dissent. “These charges are not just about my diaries, but about his effort to intimidate his opponents and control the narrative regarding his conduct,” Bolton explained. He emphasized that dissent is fundamental to America’s constitutional system and essential for freedom.
Following the FBI’s raid on Bolton’s home and office in August, Trump remarked, “He’s not a smart guy. But he could be a very unpatriotic guy. We’re going to find out.”
BOLTON INDICTED ON 18 COUNTS
Former federal prosecutors have indicated that the government’s case appears robust due to the extensive classified materials involved. Prosecutors allege that Bolton possessed intelligence regarding planned foreign attacks, allied intelligence-sharing, and covert operations, all of which he was not authorized to store or transmit.
A judge is expected to schedule Bolton’s first court appearance soon, where he is anticipated to plead not guilty to the charges, each potentially carrying a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
