On Friday morning, FBI agents conducted court-authorized raids on the Maryland residence and Washington, D.C. office of John Bolton, the former national security adviser to President Trump, known for his outspoken criticism of the former president.
These searches are part of an ongoing national security probe into the potential mishandling of classified records—an investigation that originated during the Biden administration and has now escalated under the current DOJ.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that “no one is above the law.” Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also publicly backed the operation, framing it as a crackdown on potential abuse of office.
Bolton was not present at his home during the raid and has not been charged. Video and reports show agents removing evidence boxes and electronics from both his home and office.
Political Context and Reactions
Bolton has been a vocal critic of Trump, especially on foreign policy matters—most notably in his 2020 memoir The Room Where It Happened, which previously drew scrutiny over classified content.
President Trump, who claims he was not briefed on the investigation in advance, dismissed Bolton as a “lowlife” and expressed no sympathy for the raid.
Critics of the raid, including former officials and civil liberties advocates, labeled the operation as politically motivated retaliation and warned that it could chill dissent.
In essence, the FBI is intensifying its scrutiny of Bolton amid allegations of mishandling classified information—an investigation now unfolding under Trump, despite originating during Biden’s administration, and raising significant concerns about the line between law enforcement and political retribution.
Source: CNBC
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