FBI Raids Bolton's Home and Office: Trump's Shadow Looms Large

2025-08-23 12:00:32.072

The FBI conducted searches of the Maryland home and Washington office of former Trump administration National Security Advisor John Bolton as part of a criminal investigation into potential mishandling of classified information. Bolton, a vocal critic of Trump since his 2019 dismissal, was not arrested and hasn't been charged. The searches, described as the most significant public action against a Trump adversary, raise concerns of political motivation, particularly given the Trump administration's actions against other critics. President Trump, while claiming he didn't want to know, acknowledged the searches, highlighting his role as chief law enforcement officer. Bolton himself had previously expressed concerns about potential retribution from Trump. The investigation centers around whether Bolton improperly disclosed classified information in his book, "The Room Where It Happened," which harshly criticized Trump. While a prior Justice Department investigation into the book was closed, this new action requires probable cause authorization from a federal magistrate judge. Vice President JD Vance stated that Bolton would receive due process, and the Justice Department remained silent. FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi cryptically referenced the searches on social media, emphasizing that no one is above the law. The searches occur amid other investigations involving high-profile figures, including investigations into Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The event also follows the 2022 Mar-a-Lago search, which Trump cites as a parallel case of political targeting. Bolton and Trump have a long history of conflict, stemming from Bolton's book and policy disagreements. Trump revoked Bolton's security clearance and canceled his security detail earlier this year. The handling of classified information has been a politically sensitive topic, with investigations involving Trump, Biden, and Pence, though none of them have been charged.