Bolton Indicted on Charges of Mishandling Classified Documents
Washington D.C. – October 16, 2025 – John Bolton, former national security advisor to President donald Trump, has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to the unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents, the Department of Justice announced today. The indictment alleges Bolton improperly retained sensitive national security information after leaving office in September 2019, perhaps jeopardizing national security.
The case against Bolton emerges amid heightened scrutiny of how former presidents and their administrations handle classified materials. It follows a separate inquiry into former President Trump’s handling of classified documents, which was halted after his November 2024 election victory. The charges against Bolton, a vocal critic of Trump, raise questions about the selective application of justice and the political implications of pursuing cases against prominent figures from opposing viewpoints.
Bolton served as national security advisor during Trump’s first term, known for his hawkish foreign policy stances. His tenure ended after a little over a year and a half when he resigned following disagreements with the president, as reported by Tagesschau on September 10, 2019. Subsequently, Bolton authored a critical book detailing his time in the White House, asserting Trump was unfit for office.He has repeatedly criticized Trump’s interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Following the start of Trump’s second term, the Secret Service withdrew Bolton’s protective detail. The Secret Service provides security not only to active elected officials but also to certain former officeholders.The indictment details allegations that Bolton knowingly removed classified documents from secure government facilities and stored them in an unauthorized location. The Department of Justice has not yet released the full indictment, but officials confirmed the charges include violations of the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice. Bolton is expected to appear in federal court next week.
