FBI Raids Former Trump Adviser John Bolton’s Home Over Alleged Mishandling of Classified Information

Federal agents executed an early morning raid on the home of former National Security Advisor John Bolton, according to reports tied to an ongoing investigation into alleged improper handling of sensitive government documents. The search, reportedly initiated at 7:00 a.m. at Bolton’s residence in Bethesda, Maryland, is connected to claims that he used a private email account to transmit national security-related information to members of his family.

The former White House official, who served under President Donald Trump from April 2018 until his abrupt departure in September 2019, was present at the home when agents arrived, a source familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail. Authorities also entered Bolton’s office in downtown Washington, D.C., as part of the coordinated operation.

According to a senior U.S. official, the probe centers around Bolton’s alleged transfer of classified materials through unofficial channels during his time in office. The source claimed Bolton sent sensitive government documents to his wife and daughter using his private email server. The information reportedly dates back to shortly before his dismissal from the Trump administration.

The investigation originally began in 2020 but was reportedly paused under the Biden administration. It has since been revived by the FBI under the leadership of Director Kash Patel, a former Trump ally. Patel posted a cryptic message on social media platform X shortly after the raid, stating, “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission,” a message widely interpreted as a reference to the operation.

More than a dozen federal agents were seen moving in and out of the Bolton residence, carrying boxes and equipment. Witnesses observed Bolton’s wife, Gretchen Smith Bolton, visibly distressed and speaking briefly with federal authorities at the entrance before stepping aside as agents entered the home.

Bolton returned to the house later that evening but declined to speak to waiting reporters. He briefly acknowledged the cameras before going inside, reuniting with his wife. The FBI has not commented publicly on the nature or scope of the investigation, and no charges have been filed at this time.

The event has sparked political commentary and comparisons to previous high-profile investigations. Former President Donald Trump, who has publicly clashed with Bolton since their falling out in 2019, responded to the news by drawing a parallel to the 2022 FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago residence.

Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump said, “I purposely don’t want to really get involved in it. I’m not a fan of John Bolton. My house was raided also… So I know the feeling. It’s not a good feeling.” Though Trump denied direct involvement in the execution of the raid, he expressed clear disdain for his former advisor.

Bolton has remained a vocal critic of Trump’s foreign policy since leaving the administration, often appearing on news programs to oppose the former president’s national security strategies. His book, The Room Where It Happened, published after his departure, portrayed Trump in an unflattering light and added fuel to their public feud.

The controversy surrounding Bolton echoes earlier concerns about the use of private communication systems by government officials, such as the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s email practices. Although Clinton was never criminally charged, the inquiry significantly impacted her 2016 presidential campaign and became a recurring talking point among her critics.

In a move that further strained his relationship with Trump-era officials, Bolton was stripped of his security clearance by then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, citing concerns over his handling of classified information.

While Bolton has not made any public statements regarding the raid or the investigation, legal analysts note that mishandling classified information is a serious offense that carries the potential for criminal charges if the allegations prove credible. However, the exact contents of the documents in question and the context in which they were shared remain unknown.

As the investigation continues, the raid underscores heightened scrutiny around the management of sensitive government information and the legal risks faced by current and former officials accused of breaching protocols. Whether Bolton will face charges remains to be seen, but the incident marks another chapter in the broader national conversation about accountability at the highest levels of government.