WASHINGTON – FBI agents raided the home and office of former ambassador John Bolton, who served as an advisor to President Donald Trump and later became one of his vocal critics. This operation appears to be linked to an inquiry into how Bolton handled classified documents, according to various media reports.
This incident signifies a notable intensification from the Justice Department in its strategies targeting those critical of Trump.
Addressing reporters, Trump remarked on the lack of thorough reporting regarding the FBI’s actions at Bolton’s residence in an affluent neighborhood of Bethesda, Maryland, as well as his Washington, D.C. office.
Trump also reflected on his longstanding animosity toward Bolton, stating, “I’m not a John Bolton fan. He’s a really low life. He could be a very unpatriotic guy. We’re going to know.” It’s clear he has some strong feelings about Bolton.
Earlier this year, Trump rescinded Bolton’s security details; Bolton had served as Trump’s national security advisor from 2018 to 2019 and was also the UN ambassador during the George W. Bush years from 2005 to 2006.
Post-administration, Bolton emerged as a leading figure among Trump’s Republican detractors, penning a 2020 book that portrayed the former president negatively, which only widened the divide between the two.
As of now, Bolton has not been charged with a crime nor is he in detention. A source familiar with the matter, as reported by the Associated Press, noted this.
The initial investigations into Bolton began during Trump’s presidency as questions arose about Bolton’s use of sensitive information in his publications. The ongoing inquiry involves federal officials reviewing Bolton’s actions from the past four years, according to reporting from the New York Times.
Trump Documents Case
Trump himself faced charges for allegedly mishandling documents in 2022 after the FBI conducted searches at his Florida golf course and Mar-a-Lago residence, although a federal judge later dismissed the resulting criminal charges.
FBI Director Kash Patel took to social media to assert that “no one is beyond the law,” adding that FBI agents were “on missions.”
The FBI opted not to comment on the specific raid.
In 2020, the Justice Department initiated a criminal probe into Bolton’s book, attempting to prevent its publication, but faced challenges in court.
Additionally, The Times noted that Patel released a book in 2023.
