New details have surfaced about the federal investigation into former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who is accused of potentially exposing classified intelligence through his 2020 memoir, according to The New York Times.
While Democrats and media commentators previously criticized the Trump administration for politically targeting Bolton, the Times reported the probe gained momentum under the Biden administration. Intelligence officials began reviewing the case after obtaining evidence suggesting Bolton may have mishandled classified material, sources familiar with the inquiry said.
Concerns about Bolton’s book first arose in 2020, when the Trump administration sued to block publication of “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir,” arguing he bypassed the required National Security Council review process for works containing sensitive information.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth declined to block publication of John Bolton’s memoir in 2020, saying it was too late to intervene, but concluded that Bolton had “likely published classified materials” and “exposed his country to harm.” He allowed the broader lawsuit to proceed, though it was ultimately dismissed by the Biden administration in 2021.
According to the Times, U.S. intelligence later obtained data from a foreign adversary’s spy service suggesting that in 2019, while serving as national security adviser, Bolton shared emails that may have contained classified information. The messages, reportedly sent through an unsecured server to several of his associates, appeared to reference classified documents he had reviewed at the White House, sources familiar with the investigation told the outlet.
The FBI searched Bolton’s office and home last week, reviving questions over his handling of sensitive material. The new details suggest the investigation now encompasses both earlier allegations tied to his memoir and additional intelligence gathered under the Biden administration.
Facing growing legal troubles, John Bolton is reportedly in talks to hire prominent defense attorney Abbe Lowell, who has represented figures including Hunter Biden and, currently, New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Two federal judges approved the FBI search warrants, which required prosecutors to show probable cause that Bolton possessed evidence suggesting mishandling of classified information.
As of now, no charges have been filed against the former Trump adviser turned outspoken critic.
