Sources suggest prosecutors to pursue grand jury indictment against ex-Trump adviser John Bolton
Federal prosecutors have moved to pursue a grand jury indictment against former Trump national security adviser John Bolton. The indictment, issued by a Maryland grand jury, includes multiple charges related to the unlawful handling of classified documents.
Charges Against Bolton
John Bolton faces a total of 18 charges. These comprise eight counts of unlawfully transmitting national defense information and ten counts of unlawfully retaining national defense information. Prosecutors allege that Bolton used a personal email account and messaging applications to send at least eight classified documents to unauthorized individuals.
Timeline of Allegations
- Seven transmissions occurred while Bolton was serving as national security adviser in 2018 and 2019.
- One document was reportedly sent just days after Trump removed Bolton from office in September 2019.
The classified information shared ranged from Secret to Top Secret levels, including sensitive intelligence on foreign adversaries and U.S. military operations.
Background on the Investigation
This legal action follows previous indictments against notable figures, suggesting a broader investigation into individuals associated with Trump. Bolton has drawn ire for publishing a tell-all book after his tenure, intensifying political tensions.
Details of the Documents
Prosecutors allege that one document detailed “intelligence about a future attack by an adversarial group.” Other documents purportedly contained information about missile launch plans from foreign adversaries and U.S. covert actions.
Bolton’s Actions and Retentions
The indictment claims that Bolton shared “more than a thousand pages” of information with two individuals identified as his relatives. Additionally, he is accused of unlawfully retaining classified materials at his home in Maryland, which were stored in both physical and digital formats.
Unauthorized Access and Response
- A cyber actor linked to Iran reportedly hacked Bolton’s personal email account after he left office.
- Although Bolton later reported this breach, he did not disclose the sensitive information that had been shared earlier.
Legal and Political Implications
Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized that those in power must be held accountable for jeopardizing national security. Bolton’s legal team has refuted the accusations, asserting that the documents in question had lost their classified status by the time of the investigation.
Reactions from Trump and Others
Trump has publicly criticized Bolton, suggesting that he should face legal consequences for allegedly mishandling classified information. Meanwhile, other former officials facing legal scrutiny, like James Comey, have also denied any wrongdoing.
The case against Bolton is being handled by the U.S. attorney’s office in Maryland, distinct from investigations concerning other Trump associates, indicating differing legal strategies. These developments mark an ongoing chapter in the investigation surrounding the former Trump administration and its handling of classified materials.
