❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal grand jury has reportedly convened to consider criminal charges against former National Security Adviser John Bolton.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: John Bolton, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Bolton’s attorney Abbe Lowell.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The grand jury met on Wednesday following an FBI raid in August at Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland.
💬KEY QUOTE: “An objective and thorough review will show nothing inappropriate was stored or kept by Ambassador Bolton.” – Abbe Lowell
🎯IMPACT: The investigation into Bolton’s handling of classified information could lead to an indictment.
A federal grand jury met on October 15 to consider criminal charges against John Bolton, the former National Security Adviser under President Donald J. Trump, as part of a classified information investigation. This follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raid at Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, where agents executed a search warrant in search of sensitive government records.
According to an affidavit, investigators are looking into whether Bolton used a personal AOL e-mail address during intelligence-related activities involving an unnamed foreign nation. The use of unsecured communication methods in connection with classified material prompted the federal inquiry. Two sources familiar with the case confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is weighing potential charges related to mishandling classified information.
Bolton’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, issued a statement last month defending his client, saying, “An objective and thorough review will show nothing inappropriate was stored or kept by Ambassador Bolton.” The DOJ is reportedly preparing to proceed with an indictment as soon as Thursday, although no formal charges have yet been announced.
Bolton served as National Security Adviser from April 2018 until September 2019, when President Trump dismissed him following sharp disagreements over foreign policy. He had previously held senior national security roles under Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan and is known for his enthusiasm for engaging in wars overseas.
After his departure from the Trump administration, Bolton became a vocal critic of the America First leader. In 2020, he published a memoir titled The Room Where It Happened, describing Trump as “unfit” for office and detailing internal conflicts during his tenure.
Earlier this year, Trump stripped Bolton of his security clearance, then terminated his Secret Service protection.
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