John Bolton, former Trump national security adviser, pleads guilty to retaining classified information
The plea deal could spare Bolton prison time, with prosecutors recommending a sentence of no more than 60 months and a $2.25 million fine.
- On Friday, John Bolton pleaded guilty in Greenbelt, Maryland, to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a Justice Department deal that could allow him to avoid prison.
- FBI agents searched Bolton's Maryland home and Washington office last August, with the investigation beginning before President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
- Charged last Oct with 18 counts of retaining classified information, Bolton allegedly shared notes with relatives; prosecutors said a relative wrote, "Shhhhh," in response to one document.
- District Judge Theodore Chuang scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28, with the plea agreement recommending a five-year prison cap; Bolton can withdraw his plea if fines exceed $2.25 million.
- After serving in the first administration, Bolton became an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, publishing a book, "The Room Where it Happened," which Trump called "crazy.
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89 Articles
Trump's security adviser has admitted to having withheld secret information in court, and he agreed to a high fine with the prosecutor's office.
Bolton served in Trump's first term until he was released in 2019 and publicly opposed the President. His admission of guilt could save him from a prison sentence.
Bolton attorney tears apart Trump in blistering statement after client's guilty plea
On Friday morning, June 26, former National Security Adviser John Bolton entered a guilty plea to illegally retaining classified information related to his work in the first Trump administration. But Bolton's attorney, that same morning, gave a scathing opinion of the indictment.Lowell, according to journalist Scott MacFarlane, said, in his statement, "Ambassador Bolton did what real leaders do. He took responsibility for a mistake he made, ther…
Bolton, longtime Republican government official, reaches plea deal in classified information probe
John Bolton, national security adviser during Donald Trump's first presidential administration, pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal with federal prosecutors.
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