Ex-national Security Adviser John Bolton Pleads Guilty To Illegally Retaining Classified Information

GREENBELT, Md. — Former Trump management nationalist information advisor John Bolton pleaded blameworthy connected Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a woody pinch national prosecutors that could let him to debar a situation term.

Bolton, who became an outspoken professional of President Trump aft serving successful nan Republican’s first administration, is scheduled to beryllium sentenced connected Oct. 28 by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang successful Greenbelt, Md.

Bolton pleaded blameworthy to a azygous count of illegally retaining classified information. His plea statement pinch nan Justice Department whitethorn alteration him to debar clip down bars, but nan judge yet will determine his punishment.

The plea statement recommends capping immoderate situation condemnation astatine 5 years but nan judge isn’t bound by that portion of nan deal. Bolton tin retreat his blameworthy plea if nan judge issues a longer situation condemnation aliases a good greater than $2.25 million.

Bolton was charged past October pinch 18 counts of either retaining aliases disseminating classified information, including diary-like notes that he shared pinch relatives arsenic he wrote a memoir astir his profession successful government.

Other Trump adversaries person been charged pinch national crimes during his 2nd word successful nan White House. While immoderate of those cases person collapsed nether judicial scrutiny and amid claims of governmental retribution, Bolton didn’t equine a vigorous defense against his charges earlier cutting a deal.

FBI agents searched Bolton’s Maryland location and Washington, D.C., agency past August, but nan investigation began earlier Trump returned to nan White House successful January 2025.

Bolton served for much than a twelvemonth successful Trump’s first management earlier getting pushed retired successful 2019. He later published a book called “The Room Where it Happened” that presented an unflattering image of Trump’s leadership.

The Trump management fought unsuccessfully to artifact nan book’s release, claiming it contained classified accusation that could jeopardize nationalist security. Trump derided Bolton arsenic a “crazy” warmonger who would person led nan state into “World War Six.”

Bolton’s indictment focused connected notes that he shared pinch his woman and girl alternatively than nan contents of his book. After sending 1 document, Bolton wrote successful a connection to his relatives, “None of which we talk about!!!” In response, 1 of his relatives wrote, “Shhhhh,” prosecutors said.

Kunzelman writes for nan Associated Press.