Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton has been indicted on 18 counts of transmitting and retaining classified information, becoming the third prominent critic of President Donald Trump to face criminal charges in recent weeks.
The 76-year-old diplomat was charged by a federal grand jury in Maryland. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
According to the 26-page indictment, Bolton allegedly shared top-secret documents via email with two unauthorized individuals, believed to be his wife and daughter. The materials reportedly included intelligence on potential attacks, foreign adversaries, and diplomatic strategies.
President Trump, when asked about the indictment, said, “He’s a bad guy… that’s the way it goes.”
Bolton’s home and office were raided by FBI agents in August as part of the investigation. He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance in Greenbelt, Maryland, and was released on his own recognizance. A hearing has been scheduled for November 21.
The indictment comes amid a wave of prosecutions targeting Trump’s political opponents. In recent weeks, New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey have also been charged with alleged financial and procedural crimes. Both have denied wrongdoing and described the charges as politically motivated.
Bolton, a longtime foreign policy hawk, served as Trump’s National Security Advisor before becoming a vocal critic. His 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, portrayed Trump as “unfit to be president,” prompting the revocation of his security clearance and public rebukes from the president.
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has taken sweeping actions against perceived adversaries, including defunding institutions he accuses of bias and directing legal action through his Attorney General, Pam Bondi.
Critics warn that Bolton’s indictment signals an escalating use of the justice system to suppress dissent and target political opposition.
