FBI Executes Search at John Bolton’s Home, Seizes Evidence

The FBI has conducted a search of the home of John Bolton, former national security adviser to Donald Trump, seizing phones, computer equipment, and documents as part of an investigation into the potential mishandling of classified information. Court records unsealed on March 15, 2024, detail the items taken during the operation, which took place in Bethesda, Maryland, and included Bolton’s office in the District of Columbia.

This investigation came to light following an FBI search last month, during which agents sought to determine if Bolton improperly handled government secrets. According to a source familiar with the case, who requested anonymity, the inquiry focuses on allegations regarding the mishandling of classified information. So far, no charges have been filed against Bolton.

Details of the Investigation Unveiled

A coalition of media organizations successfully petitioned a Maryland judge to unseal the search warrant records, citing a significant public interest in the matter. The newly released documents include a search warrant inventory that reveals the FBI confiscated multiple phones, various computer equipment, and four boxes of daily printed activities. Notably, the inventory also listed typed documents organized in folders labeled “Trump I-IV,” among other materials.

The court records highlight two specific criminal statutes related to the investigation. These include laws that criminalize the gathering, transmission, or loss of defense information, as well as the unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or materials.

Bolton, who served as national security adviser for 17 months during Trump’s first term, has not publicly commented on the investigation since the search occurred. He was known for his contentious relationship with Trump on issues like Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea, ultimately leading to his dismissal in 2019. Furthermore, Bolton has critiqued Trump’s foreign policy approach in his book, The Room Where it Happened, which characterized the former president as ill-informed.

As this investigation unfolds, the implications for Bolton and the broader context of information security within the Trump administration will continue to garner attention. The FBI’s actions and the subsequent revelations emphasize ongoing concerns about the handling of classified materials by high-ranking officials.