WASHINGTON – Former national security adviser John Bolton is set to surrender to federal authorities this Friday following an indictment that accuses him of mishandling classified information and other misconduct.
The 18-count indictment asserts that Bolton stored top-secret records at his residence and shared classified diary-like notes with family members. The government suggests that sensitive materials may have been compromised through a hacking incident linked to Iranian operatives accessing Bolton's email.
The indictment, filed in federal court in Maryland, outlines allegations stating that between 2018 and August 2023, Bolton shared over 1,000 pages of informal government records and personal insights with relatives, allegedly including information classified as high as 'top secret'. Bolton is quoted texting his relatives that none of the information was to be discussed.
Bolton's indictment is the latest in a series of legal battles faced by former Trump administration officials amid concerns from critics regarding perceived political targeting by the Justice Department. He claims the charges stem from old investigations that were previously resolved and characterizes the case as retaliation for publishing a controversial book critiquing Trump's presidency.
While Bolton contends that he did not unlawfully disclose information, the details within the indictment may provoke significant scrutiny and political discourse as the nation navigates the intersection of national security and partisan politics.
