John Bolton Indicted for Handling Classified Information Amid Political Turmoil

Sun Oct 19 2025 17:41:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton turned himself in and pleaded not guilty to charges of mishandling classified documents, raising concerns around the use of legal systems for political retribution.

John Bolton, the former national security adviser, was indicted for allegedly keeping top secret documents at home and sharing classified information with family members. This case is part of a broader pattern of legal action against figures opposing President Trump, heightening concerns about political motivations behind the Justice Department's actions. Bolton described himself as another target in a campaign to weaponize legal charges against political enemies.

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton turned himself in to federal authorities Friday morning in Maryland and pleaded not guilty after being indicted on charges of keeping top secret documents at his home and sharing classified information with family members.

Bolton’s indictment represents the third criminal case initiated by the Justice Department against individuals seen as adversaries of President Donald Trump in recent weeks. This pattern raises significant concerns over the use of legal powers to punish political rivals.

As Bolton entered the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, he declined to make any comments to the press. However, he issued a statement Thursday after a grand jury returned the 18-count indictment against him, claiming that he has “become the latest target in the weaponization of the Justice Department to charge those deemed to be enemies” with previously declined charges or distorted facts.

Who is John Bolton?

The 76-year-old Bolton has a long history in the Republican Party and served as National Security Advisor during Trump's first term. His tenure was marked by conflicts over issues relating to North Korea and Iran, where he frequently expressed skepticism about Trump’s diplomatic approach. However, Bolton was notably critical of the administration even after his dismissal in 2019, releasing a tell-all book that detailed his experiences.

Understanding the Charges Against Bolton

The charges state that Bolton shared sensitive national defense information with his family, including over 1,000 pages of notes from government meetings. Authorities have cited instances where operatives linked to the Iranian government allegedly hacked Bolton’s email account, which was used to transmit sensitive notes to his relatives.

“Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law,” remarked Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the indictment.

The legal troubles for figures opposing Trump have drawn attention, with recent indictments seemingly targeting individuals such as New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey. The environment has fostered discussions about the justice system's impartiality amid political strife.