John Bolton, who previously served as Donald Trump’s national security adviser, has surrendered to federal authorities following charges related to the mishandling of classified information. The indictment includes 18 charges accusing Bolton of retaining and sharing sensitive materials, some deemed top secret.
Bolton’s tenure in the Trump administration was marked by controversy, leading to his departure under contentious circumstances. Recently, he has become a vocal critic of Trump. His indictment represents the third instance in recent weeks where political opponents of the former president have faced legal action. Bolton has stated he plans to defend his actions, describing them as lawful.
Upon arriving at the courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland, Bolton did not answer questions from reporters and is expected to make an initial court appearance. Reports indicate he may undergo fingerprinting and have a booking photo taken. Prosecutors allege that Bolton used personal messaging apps and email to transmit sensitive information, claiming the documents disclosed intelligence concerning future attacks, foreign adversaries, and diplomatic relations.
In response to the charges, Bolton emphasized that he would defend his legal conduct and framed his situation as part of a broader narrative of political targeting. The indictment mentions that Bolton reportedly shared “diary-like entries” with unnamed individuals and used personal email for sensitive communications. It also states he was previously subjected to a hacking attempt believed to be linked to Iran, which potentially exposed classified materials.
Bolton’s legal history regarding classified information dates back to 2020 when he sought to publish a memoir, leading to a Justice Department intervention due to concerns over classified content. Although a federal judge ruled against the government’s attempt to block the book, he criticized Bolton’s actions as reckless regarding national security. An investigation continued under the Biden administration but had not resulted in charges until now.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg43lwwdwlno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss