WASHINGTON: Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, once one of Donald Trump’s closest aides and now one of his fiercest critics, has been indicted on federal charges of mishandling classified information — a move he denounced as an attempt by the president to “intimidate his opponents.”
Bolton, was indicted on 18 counts of transmitting and retaining classified information. The Justice Department said the documents contained intelligence about “future attacks, foreign adversaries, and foreign-policy relations.”
According to Sky News, the 76-year-old diplomat was charged by a federal grand jury in Maryland for sharing over 1,000 pages of “diary-like” entries through private email and messaging apps. The indictment alleges Bolton sent the material to two unauthorized recipients — believed to be his wife and daughter.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement, “Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardises our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law.” Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Bolton, who has long clashed with Trump since being dismissed from his administration in 2019, called the charges an attempt “to ensure that he alone determines what is said about his conduct.” He vowed to fight the case, saying he would expose “his abuse of power.”
Trump Critics Face Mounting Legal Pressure
Bolton’s indictment marks the third criminal case in recent weeks against prominent critics of the U.S. president. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led a major civil fraud case against Trump, was indicted on October 9 on charges of bank fraud and making false statements, which she has called “political retribution.”
Days earlier, former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to obstruction and false statement charges. His lawyer said the prosecution was “vindictive and selective.”
Trump has repeatedly urged Attorney General Bondi to act against his “political enemies,” including James and Comey. He did not name Bolton in his latest Truth Social post but has previously called him “a bad guy” and revoked his security detail after returning to the White House.
Political Fallout and Broader Crackdown
Bolton, known for his hardline stance on Iran, has faced death threats from Tehran and sharp criticism from Trump loyalists. FBI agents raided his Maryland home and Washington office in August as part of the investigation.
Bolton’s 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, painted Trump as erratic and “unfit to be president,” fueling a long-running feud. Since returning to power, Trump has purged officials he deems disloyal and cut funding to universities and firms tied to past cases against him.
Legal analysts say the wave of indictments reflects a widening use of federal power to target political adversaries — a charge Trump’s opponents describe as a sign of democratic backsliding under his second presidency.
