Washington. Former National Security Advisor to US President Donald Trump John Bolton voluntarily turned himself in to authorities after a federal jury in Maryland indicted him on 18 points under the Espionage Act: 8 episodes of the program and 10 episodes of illegal storage of information related to defense.
According to the investigation, Bolton allegedly used personal online accounts for sending information of special secrecy and kept documents at home after dismantling the equipped area for working with secret communications (SCIF) at his residence in Bethesda after leaving the administration in September 2019.
The indictment mentions fragments of a personal diarywhich Bolton allegedly sent to two unidentified recipients through a personal email account that was subsequently hacked by an individual believed by US authorities to be associated with the Iranian government.
It is noted that these notes, which described his daily activities in the White House, contained information at the level Top Secret.
Position of the investigation. FBI Director Cas Patel said that “the investigation revealed the transfer of top-secret information from personal accounts and its storage in a private residence, which is in direct violation of federal law.” The Ministry of Justice indicates that it was about data on “potential strikes, foreign opponents, foreign policy relations,” as well as sources and “information about the leaders of one of the opponents.”
Justice Department Statements Regarding Indictment of Former National Security Advisor John Bolton https://t.co/lrNzDZqzvi @FBIBaltimore pic.twitter.com/yLcEqSjkLF
—FBI (@FBI) October 16, 2025
Defense position. Bolton Lawyer, Abbe Lowelldenies the accusations: according to her, we are talking about fragments of personal diary entries over a 45-year career that does not contain classified information, was available only to immediate family and is known to the FBI as of 2021. Bolton himself stated: “I am ready to defend the legality of my actions and show the abuse of power“
Context. Bolton served as US ambassador to the UN under George W. Bush and was national security adviser in 2018-2019 under Donald Trump. Their political conflict escalated after his resignation: Bolton harshly criticized Trump, who called him “one of the most incompetent officials.”
Procedural status. Earlier this summer, documents show, federal agents searched the house in Bethesda and office in Washington. Further steps depend on the court’s decision regarding the suppression and the schedule of hearings; The defense is seeking to reject a number of episodes as unfounded.
Behind the accusation lies not only the law, but also an old grudge
According to observers in Washington, the Bolton case looks like revenge for old grievances. He is one of the few former advisers who not only left the White House, but also publicly humiliated Trump: Released an exposé book, “The Room Where It Happened,” in which he described the president as a chaotic and incompetent leader, and also interfered in his negotiations with Kim Jong-un. Trump has not forgotten these episodes and is now demonstrating that power is again in his hands.
Formally, it’s a leak of secrets. In fact, it is a political signal to those who once crossed the path of Donald Trump.
More Stories
Scandal in Warsaw: Ukrainians are accused of espionage and preparing acts of sabotage amid EU investigations
Germany: Muslim destroys Christmas trees in the streets because they ‘contradict his religion’!
EU refuses to return Italian gold to Rome