John Bolton, a longtime figure in Republican foreign policy circles, has found himself at the center of a federal investigation. According to the Associated Press, Bolton, who served as national security adviser to President Donald Trump during his first term, is charged with storing top-secret records at his home and sharing diary-like notes containing classified information with relatives. The 18-count indictment also suggests that some of this sensitive material may have been exposed after his email account was hacked by operatives believed to be linked to the Iranian regime.
Details of the Indictment and Bolton’s Response
The indictment, filed in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, details that between 2018 and August 2025, Bolton shared more than 1,000 pages of information with two relatives, including entries classified as high as top secret. Some of these documents contained details about foreign adversaries, covert government plans, and intelligence sources and methods. In one instance, after sending a document, Bolton wrote to his relatives, “None of which we talk about!!!” to which one responded, “Shhhhh,” the Associated Press reports.
Bolton has denied the charges, framing them as part of an “intensive effort” to intimidate political opponents, echoing concerns about the Justice Department’s handling of cases involving former Trump adversaries. The case is being closely watched as it unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing debates over security, accountability, and political influence in Washington.
Early Life and Education
Born on November 20, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland, John Bolton attended Yale University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1970 and a Juris Doctor in 1974. His early exposure to law and governance set the stage for a career that would span multiple Republican administrations.
Political Career and Government Service
Bolton began his federal service in the administration of President Ronald Reagan, holding positions at the United States Agency for International Development and serving as assistant attorney general from 1985 to 1989. Under President George H.W. Bush, he served as assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs from 1989 to 1993. During the 1990s, he was active in conservative think tanks, including the American Enterprise Institute, where he was vice president from 1997 to 2001, and the Project for the New American Century. He also held roles within the Republican National Committee.
In President George W. Bush’s administration, Bolton served as undersecretary of state for arms control and international security affairs. He played a role in reversing several U.S. foreign policy positions, including withdrawing support for the International Criminal Court and exiting the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. He also oversaw the Proliferation Security Initiative, aimed at brokering bilateral agreements on arms control, and halted an international biological weapons conference in 2001 over verification concerns. Bolton briefly participated in U.S. negotiations with North Korea but was removed in 2003 following controversial remarks about the country’s leader.
National Security Adviser and Later Developments
Bolton joined the Trump administration as national security adviser in 2018 but was dismissed in 2019. Following his tenure, he published a critical book about the president, which drew significant attention and controversy. In 2025, his home and office were searched as part of the investigation into his handling of classified documents, culminating in the indictment that now places him at the center of a high-profile legal battle.