Former National Security Advisor John Bolton pleaded guilty to illegally retaining classified documents. According to the Department of Justice, Bolton used personal accounts to send the classified materials to family members. One of the email accounts was hacked by an actor believed to be linked to Iran.
His sentencing is scheduled for October 28 by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang. As part of his plea deal, Bolton will pay a $2.25 million fine and may face up to five years in prison.
“As national security adviser to the president of the United States, Mr. Bolton had access to and was responsible for safeguarding the most sensitive national defense information, including classified material. Mr. Bolton knew how to handle classified information, where it should be stored, how it should be stored, and with whom he could share that information,” U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes said during a press conference.
Bolton was indicted last August on 18 counts of illegally hoarding or sending documents.
“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.”
President Trump issued an executive order last 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 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.”
