Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton will reportedly plead guilty to unlawfully retaining classified information, according to reports.
The report, first shared by CNN, was confirmed by two sources to Fox News. Bolton was indicted last August on 18 counts of illegally hoarding and s
“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,” the indictment read. “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.
President Trump issued an executive order last year stripping Bolton and other former officials of security clearances.
