Former Trump Adviser John Bolton Indicted on Espionage Charges

John Bolton, once a national security adviser under Donald Trump and now among the president’s vocal Republican critics, has been indicted on federal charges alleging the mishandling of classified information. He is expected to surrender to authorities soon and make his first court appearance.

The Indictment and Charges

Earlier this week, a grand jury in Maryland returned an 18-count indictment, accusing Bolton of transmitting and retaining highly classified information in violation of the Espionage Act. The charges stem from diary entries and notes Bolton allegedly shared with two unnamed individuals, many of which detailed sensitive, classified matters from his time in the White House.

According to the indictment, Bolton kept handwritten notes on yellow legal pads during his service, then later transferred those notes into digital documents. He is accused of using personal email accounts and messaging platforms to share classified content—despite lacking security clearances for the recipients.

Context and Investigation

The investigation dates back to 2022, during the Biden administration, though it relates to actions that occurred under Trump’s presidency.Bolstered by what federal prosecutors describe as strong evidence, this case differs in scope and seriousness from recent prosecutions of other Trump critics.

Although Bolton departed the Trump White House under strained circumstances, he later sharply criticized Trump, including in a memoir.

Bolton’s Response and Legal Defense

Bolton has denied wrongdoing. In a statement, he defended his conduct as lawful and said he looked forward to the opportunity to “expose abuse of power.” His attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that Bolton’s diaries are personal records shared only with his family, and that some portions of the material are unclassified.

Next Steps

Bolton is expected to surrender to authorities promptly and appear in federal court in Maryland. The indictment alone does not imply guilt; the legal process will now play out in court, with discovery, motions, and possibly a trial.