❓WHAT HAPPENED: Documents reveal the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized phones, computer equipment, and documents from John Bolton’s home during an investigation into potential mishandling of classified information.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: John Bolton, the neoconservative former White House national security adviser, and the FBI.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The search occurred last month at Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, and his office in Washington, D.C.
🎯IMPACT: The investigation highlights concerns over the mishandling of classified information by former officials with a grudge against President Trump, and has drawn public interest due to Bolton’s high-profile role during the first Trump administration.
Court records unsealed Thursday reveal that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized phones, computer equipment, and various documents from the home of John Bolton, a former White House national security adviser in the first Trump administration. The investigation, which surfaced publicly last month when federal law enforcement raided Bolton’s home and office, revolves around allegations of mishandling classified information.
The search took place at Bolton’s Bethesda, Maryland, residence and his office in Washington, D.C. Documents made public include a search warrant inventory detailing the confiscation of multiple phones, computer equipment, four boxes of daily printed activities, a white box labeled “statements and reflections to allied strikes,” and typed documents labeled “Trump I-IV.”
The court filings cite two criminal statutes related to the unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials, as well as the transmission or loss of defense information. Despite the investigation, no charges had been filed against Bolton as of the time of publication.
A coalition of news organizations successfully lobbied a judge to unseal the records, arguing that the public interest in the case outweighed the need for continued secrecy. However, the documents do remain partially redacted.
Bolton, who served as national security adviser in President Donald J. Trump‘s first administration for 17 months before being dismissed in 2019, has not commented publicly on the investigation. Known for his criticism of Trump’s foreign policy, the longtime war hawk detailed his disagreements with the America First leader in a book titled The Room Where It Happened.
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.
