Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton Charged with 18 Counts for Improper Retention and Sharing of National Defense Information

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has been indicted on 18 counts related to the unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information, as determined by a federal grand jury in Maryland. The charges include eight counts of unlawful transmission and ten counts of unlawful retention of classified materials, all violating the Espionage Act. Bolton, 76, allegedly used personal emails and messaging applications to share classified documents with unauthorized individuals, including family members. Some of these documents were marked top secret and contained sensitive U.S. intelligence and insights into foreign adversary plans. The indictment further alleges Bolton retained classified information at his residence and office, encompassing intelligence on foreign leaders and the methodologies for obtaining sensitive information.

The investigation into Bolton began in 2022, before Donald Trump’s second term, culminating in FBI searches of Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington, D.C., office in August 2025, where documents labeled “secret,” “confidential,” and classified were seized. Bolton has denied any wrongdoing, with his attorney asserting that the charges relate to unclassified portions of Bolton’s personal diaries shared with his family, records previously known to the FBI.

This indictment has ignited political controversy; Bolton has compared the administration’s actions to those of Stalin’s secret police and accused Trump of politicizing the Department of Justice. Trump responded dismissively, labeling Bolton as “a bad guy.” If convicted, Bolton faces up to 10 years in prison for each count. The case highlights ongoing legal issues among former Trump officials and underscores the challenges of handling classified information in a politically charged environment.