Sources declare the operation is a part of a high-profile investigation involving categorised paperwork
The FBI has raided the house and workplace of John Bolton, the famend overseas coverage hawk and a former nationwide safety adviser to US President Donald Trump, a number of retailers reported on Friday. The New York Submit, which first broke the information, stated the searches are a part of a high-profile probe into the dealing with of categorised paperwork.
Bolton, infamous for his advocacy of regime change as a US overseas coverage software, served underneath Trump for 18 months throughout his first time period earlier than being fired in September 2019. Trump later referred to as him a “nutjob,” “loser,” and “very dumb particular person,” and described hiring him as one in every of his “greatest errors.”
Trump has stated that he knew nothing concerning the raids and solely realized of them from tv information.
Reviews say FBI brokers searched Bolton’s dwelling in Bethesda, Maryland, and his Washington, DC, workplace early on Friday. Footage circulating on-line confirmed brokers in what seems to be his entrance yard and out of doors his workplace, loading gadgets into automobiles. Bolton was reportedly seen in his workplace foyer talking with two people sporting FBI vests.
🚨 BREAKING: Federal brokers are RIGHT NOW in John Bolton’s dwelling “going by way of issues” following an early morning FBI RAID within the DC space over nationwide safety issues.Sure. We did, certainly, vote for this.That is Bolton’s main residence.”This offers with categorised… pic.twitter.com/PmIOAxTgtA
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 22, 2025
The investigation reportedly facilities on whether or not Bolton nonetheless possesses categorised paperwork from his time in workplace, notably these linked to his 2020 memoir, The Room The place It Occurred. The US Justice Division (DOJ) underneath Trump tried to dam the e book’s publication, claiming it contained categorised materials. A federal decide ultimately allowed its launch, and the Biden DOJ dropped each the legal and civil circumstances in June 2021.
🚨 BREAKING: FBI brokers at the moment are at JOHN BOLTON’S OFFICE in Washington DC after the raid on his dwelling in Bethesda.”A few FBI brokers loading some stuff into automobiles…”They’re gathering ALL of it. Kash and Dan had been proper. Accountability is right here. pic.twitter.com/36wrHCR9Fv
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 22, 2025
Bolton has not been detained and has not but been charged, in response to reviews, and neither his spokesperson nor the White Home reportedly have commented.
Whereas the DOJ has not issued an official assertion, Lawyer Common Pam Bondi posted on X early on Friday: “America’s security isn’t negotiable. Justice can be pursued. All the time.” She was responding to FBI Director Kash Patel’s cryptic message: “NO ONE is above the legislation… @FBI brokers on mission.” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino additionally reposted Patel’s remark, including, “Public corruption is not going to be tolerated.” Patel beforehand listed Bolton as a part of the US “Deep State” in his 2023 e book.
Bolton has often clashed with Trump over overseas coverage. On his first day again in workplace this 12 months, Trump revoked the safety clearances of over 40 ex-intelligence officers, together with Bolton, and stripped him of his safety element.
