FBI Conducts Court-Authorized Search of John Bolton’s Home and Office in Classified Documents Probe
Federal agents executed searches at the Maryland residence and Washington, D.C. office of John Bolton, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, early Friday morning as part of a sweeping national security investigation into the handling of classified materials.
The FBI’s operation, authorized by federal courts and ordered by FBI Director Kash Patel, focused on whether Bolton improperly retained or disclosed classified documents. The investigation, initiated several years ago, had previously been closed by the Biden administration but was revived amid political and security concerns.
Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser until 2019 before becoming a vocal critic of the former president, was not detained or charged during the searches. Agents were observed loading boxes of materials from Bolton’s office while he was seen departing the building. Authorities have not publicly detailed specific allegations.
The investigation echoes the high-profile FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, which also centered on classified documents. Legal experts note the significance of these searches as part of broader inquiries into the handling of government secrets by former Trump administration officials.
Despite being a sharp critic of Trump, Bolton’s handling of classified information has drawn scrutiny since the publication of his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which was originally reviewed by the government for classified content. The Justice Department previously dropped investigations into Bolton’s book in 2021 after determining it contained no classified information.
FBI Director Patel emphasized the agency’s commitment to enforcing the law without exception, tweeting, “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.” Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed the sentiment, noting, “America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.”
The searches have stirred debate over political motivations given Bolton’s ongoing criticism of Trump’s foreign and national security policies. Bolton himself tweeted during the searches with comments on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, signaling his continued engagement in geopolitical issues.
As the investigation unfolds, Bolton joins a growing list of former Trump officials subject to federal scrutiny. The Justice Department has not disclosed further details, and Bolton’s legal team has yet to comment publicly on the ongoing matter.