Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton surrendered to authorities on Friday following his indictment.
Bolton was seen leaving his Maryland home and entering the district courthouse in Greenbelt, NBC News reports.
“From on or about April 9, 2018, through at least on or about August 22, 2025, BOLTON abused his position as National Security Advisor by sharing more than a thousand pages of information about his day-to-day activities as the National Security Advisor — including information relating to the national defense which was classified up to the TOP SECRET/SCI level — with two unauthorized individuals, namely Individuals 1 and 2,” the indictment reads. “BOLTON also unlawfully retained documents, writings, and notes relating to the national defense, including information classified up to the TOP SECRET/SCI level, in his home in Montgomery County, Maryland.”
Responding to his indictment in a statement to the Associated Press, Bolton said, “Now, I have become the latest target in weaponizing the Justice Department to charge those he deems to be his enemies with charges that were declined before or distort the facts.”
Bolton’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, told the outlet that details in the case “were investigated and resolved years ago.”
“Like many public officials throughout history, Amb. Bolton kept diaries — that is not a crime. We look forward to proving once again that Amb. Bolton did not unlawfully share or store any information,” Lowell stated.
Bolton’s home was raided by federal authorities in August as part of a classified documents investigation.
President Trump issued an executive order earlier this year stripping Bolton and other former officials of security clearances.
“National security is also damaged by the publication of classified information. Former National Security Advisor John R. Bolton published a memoir for monetary gain after he was terminated from his White House position in 2019,” Trump’s January order read. “The book was rife with sensitive information drawn from his time in government. The memoir’s reckless treatment of sensitive information undermined the ability of future presidents to request and obtain candid advice on matters of national security from their staff. Publication also created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed.”
