WASHINGTON (AP) — John Bolton, the former national security adviser during the Trump administration, is anticipated to surrender to authorities on Friday following charges concerning the illegal handling of classified information. The indictment alleges that Bolton stored top secret documents at his residence and distributed sensitive diary-like notes, containing classified details, to family members.
According to the 18-count federal indictment issued on Thursday, sensitive material was compromised allegedly due to a cyberattack linked to Iranian operatives who accessed Bolton's email, revealing serious national security concerns. A representative for Bolton previously informed the FBI in 2021 about the hacking of his emails but failed to disclose the sensitive information shared via that account.
This case marks a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of political figures associated with the Trump administration, particularly as it arises amidst allegations that the Justice Department might be selectively prosecuting Trump’s adversaries while avoiding actions against his allies. Bolton's spokesperson has claimed that the charges are an attempt to use the Justice Department against political enemies, framing him as a target.
Legal analysts note that the comparison of Bolton's indictment to previous cases against figures like former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James is valuable due to the specificity and detail in Bolton's charges, which were signed by seasoned national security prosecutors. The past cases involved hastily appointed U.S. attorneys and lacked similar detail.
The indictment specifies that from 2018 until August, Bolton shared over 1,000 pages of information, including high-classified material learned during his tenure with U.S. officials and intelligence briefings, with unnamed family members identified as his wife and daughter.
Bolton's team has maintained that the information contained in his personal diaries was not shared unlawfully and insists that these entries included unclassified details discussed only with family. Bolton faces a legal battle that underscores the ongoing conflict between national security, political dynamics, and the treatment of government officials in managing sensitive information.
