FBI Agents Exit John Bolton’s Office With Boxes in Raid

NYT Editorial Board says Bolton raid shows Trump will apply justice ‘selectively and unfairly’

The New York Times Editorial Board said in an op-ed on Friday that the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home shows “the president has given all Americans reason to believe that justice is now applied selectively and unfairly.”

The op-ed wrote that President Donald Trump had stripped Bolton of his security detail within hours of returning to office, and had repeatedly criticized his former national security adviser in speeches and on social media, after Bolton became a vocal criticism of the president.

“On Friday morning, the intimidation ratcheted up several notches,” the board wrote, in reference to the dawn raid.

“The search is a new chapter in Mr. Trump’s campaign of retribution against his critics. The White House and its loyalists in the Justice Department and the F.B.I. are sending a clear message: Keep quiet, or we will use the extraordinary power of federal law enforcement to threaten your job or your liberty and put you under a lasting cloud of suspicion. And they are using the fearsome punitive authority of the government to conduct this campaign,” the board wrote.

WATCH: Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home was raided by FBI in 2022 over ‘classified documents’

George Conway makes surprise visit to outside John Bolton’s home during raid

Conservative attorney George Conway, who was married to former senior counselor to President Donald Trump Kellyanne Conway, visited the scene of the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home on Friday.

Conway, a critic of Trump, told the gathered press outside Bolton’s home that if the former national security adviser had classified documents then, “he has to answer for that if he’s got them, the way Trump should have.”

He added that he’d heard Bolton was always “fastidious with classified” information.

“If it’s just about harassing him, because he said uncomplimentary things about Trump, many of them in his book, about Trump’s mental capacity and ability to understand foreign affairs and very simple things, that’s not legit,” Conway added.

“If that’s what this is about, I think we should all start buying John’s book and reading the passages about Donald Trump.”

Fox News contributor suggests Bolton could face lengthy sentence

Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley has suggested that John Bolton could face a lengthy sentence if evidence of classified information is found.

Turley said that national defense information carries a heightened potential penalty, of between ten and 20 years.

Each classified document also carries its own penalty, which could be applied concurrently or consecutively.

What criminal charges can you face for mishandling classified information?

Mishandling classified information in the United States can bring a range of serious criminal charges, depending on the circumstances. Here are the main statutes prosecutors rely on:

• Espionage Act: Unauthorized gathering, transmission, or retention of national defense information. Penalties: Up to 10 years per count, or even life imprisonment if intent to aid a foreign power is proven.
• Unauthorized Removal and Retention: Knowingly removing classified materials without authority and keeping them in an unauthorized location. Penalties: Up to 5 years in prison and fines.
• Concealment or Destruction of Records: Willfully concealing, removing, or destroying government records. Penalties: Up to 3 years in prison; disqualification from holding federal office.
• False Statements: Lying to federal investigators about possession or handling of classified materials. Penalties: Up to 5 years in prison per offense.
• Obstruction-Related Charges: Destroying or altering documents relevant to an investigation. Penalties: Up to 20 years in prison.
• Obstructing Agency Proceedings: Interfering with federal investigations. Penalties: Up to 5 years in prison.

Bolton previously claimed Trump efforts to block his book were about politics, not classified information

John Bolton said in 2020 that President Donald Trump’s efforts to block the release of his memoir was about his critiques of him and politics, not about concerns over classified information.

“In my view, it was never my intention to disclose classified information. I had plenty to write about without doing that,” Bolton told USA Today.

“I didn’t really feel I had to submit the book for pre-publication review for that reason, but I did out of abundance of caution.”

WATCH: JD Vance refutes Bolton raid is retribution, says it’s in ‘national interest’

Bolton returns home as FBI agents remove evidence in ongoing probe

John Bolton returned to his Bethesda, Maryland, residence Friday afternoon while FBI agents continued their search of the property. Arriving around 2:30 p.m. ET, Bolton briefly acknowledged reporters with a wave but declined to answer questions.

Federal agents were seen exiting the home carrying a desktop CPU—capable of storing sensitive data—and several boxes of materials. Some items were retrieved from Bolton’s garage and loaded into a black SUV parked outside.

Krishnamoorthi suggests Bolton raid meant to distract from Epstein file release

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) criticized the timing of the FBI’s search of John Bolton’s home on Friday, suggesting it was politically motivated and intended to divert attention from the release of subpoenaed Jeffrey Epstein files.

Speaking to CNN, Krishnamoorthi said the raid appeared to be “an attempt to distract from the other big news of the day,” referring to the Oversight Committee’s first production of documents related to Epstein’s network.

Krishnamoorthi, a member of the committee, accused the Trump administration of “weaponizing” federal law enforcement to target critics and shift the public narrative. The FBI has said the Bolton search was part of a court-authorized national security investigation, but has not commented on its timing.

CIA intelligence sparked FBI raid on Bolton’s home

The FBI’s search of John Bolton’s Maryland residence was prompted by intelligence gathered overseas by the CIA, according to The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the investigation. The classified material reportedly raised concerns about Bolton’s handling of sensitive information during and after his tenure as national security adviser.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe provided limited access to the intelligence to FBI Director Kash Patel, who authorized the search as part of a broader national security probe. The operation, which also included Bolton’s Washington office, marks a significant escalation in a revived criminal investigation that began under the Biden administration but gained traction in Trump’s second term.

Bolton has not been charged, and neither the FBI nor the CIA has commented publicly on the specifics of the intelligence. The nature of the overseas information remains undisclosed, but officials say it was central to securing the warrant.

Erik Menendez’s parole hearing far exceeded typical parole duration

Parole hearings in California typically last two to three hours, but Erik Menendez’s session on Thursday stretched to an extraordinary 10 hours.

The extended duration reflected the complexity and gravity of his case, as commissioners questioned him extensively about his life before, during, and after the 1989 murders of his parents.

Particular focus was placed on Menendez’s conduct during his decades in prison, including multiple rule violations.

What is Bolton’s memoir ‘The Room Where It Happened’ about?

John Bolton’s 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, is once again under scrutiny following the FBI’s search of his Maryland home and Washington office. The raid, part of a renewed investigation into alleged mishandling of classified information, revives long-standing tensions between Bolton and President Donald Trump.

Bolton, who served as national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, received a reported $2 million advance for the book, which offered a scathing account of Trump’s foreign policy and alleged misconduct. Among its most explosive claims: Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to boost U.S. farm purchases to help his reelection, showed ignorance about global affairs, and routinely interfered with law enforcement.

The Trump administration tried to block the book’s release at the time, arguing it contained classified material and violated nondisclosure agreements. A federal judge rejected the effort, and the book was published on June 23, 2020. Though a criminal probe was later opened, it was dropped in 2021—until now.

The FBI’s renewed interest suggests investigators are reexamining whether Bolton’s disclosures crossed legal boundaries. Bolton has not been charged, and his legal team has yet to comment publicly on the raid.

Bolton’s memoir Battle resurfaces amid FBI raid over classified material

The FBI’s search of John Bolton’s home this week has reignited scrutiny over his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which was at the center of a legal clash during President Trump’s first term. Days before its release, the Trump administration sued to block publication, alleging the book contained classified information and that Bolton bypassed final security review procedures.

A federal judge rejected the administration’s attempt to halt the release, and the book went on to become one of the most critical insider accounts of Trump’s presidency. Bolton accused the president of repeated misconduct and described a culture of obstruction within the White House.

Ellen Knight, the career official who led the manuscript’s review, later testified that she had cleared the book for publication after working with Bolton to remove sensitive content. She said political appointees overruled her, despite no classified material remaining.

The Justice Department dropped both the civil suit and a related criminal investigation in 2021, closing the case “with prejudice.” However, Trump continued to publicly accuse Bolton of leaking classified information, calling his actions “treasonous.”

Bolton FBI raid ‘an obvious act of intimidation’ says former US ambassador

Norm Eisen, a former U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, has branded the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home and office “an obvious act of intimidation.”

“Raiding the home of a high-profile critic in this way is an attack on the fundamental American right to disagree with the government,” Eisen said in a joint statement with Susan Corke, executive director of the group Democracy Defenders Fund.

JD Vance denies Bolton targeted for his criticism of Trump

Vice President JD Vance denied that John Bolton was targeted in the FBI raid on his home on Friday, because of his vocal criticism of President Donald Trump.

Vance told NBC News’s “Meet the Press” that the investigation was in its early stages and centers on classified documents and a “broad concern” about Bolton.

If no crime is found during the investigation, no prosecution will be brought, but that if a crime is found “Ambassador Bolton will get his day in court.”

When pushed on whether he thought Bolton was being targeted because of his Trump criticisms, he said, “no, not at all.” He added that if the administration was targeting Trump critics, then “we would just throw out prosecutions willy-nilly.”

Fox News contributor calls FBI raid on John Bolton ‘very sad development’

Fox News’ Andy McCarthy expressed his disappointment over the FBI’s raid at the home of John Bolton.

McCarthy said that the raid at the Bethesda home of the President Donald Trump critic was a “very sad development,:

“It’s one we’ve seen again and again, but this is an ancient feud. It’s all, I think, over Bolton’s book. Bolton went on a jihad against Trump after he got fired,” he said Friday.

McCarthy said that much of the dispute over Bolton’s book had already been settled after both sides decided to drop their litigation previously and the Biden administration had dropped its criminal case.

He added that because of this, he doubted Bolden would be charged.

“This is ancient history,” he said. “Now, it’s probably dumb on my part to speculate here because until you see what they’ve actually taken out of his home, and, you know, if they hit a home run and they find something that looks like it’s at least within the ballpark of being classified, then you don’t have a statute of limitations problem, or all the other stuff that you usually have to worry about with, you know ancient history. So we’ll just have to see.

“But I must say, I think that we saw with President Trump, I was hoping that his administration wouldn’t practice the things that were practiced on him, but a big part of lawfare is to harass people with investigations,” he continued.

“So even if there are never any charges, there’s going to be, there’s already been a search warrant. There’s obviously a criminal investigation that’s underway, there’ll probably be a grand jury component of it. And even if there’s no charges, this will be a very big deal for Bolton personally in the coming months, and maybe even years.”

Steve Bannon says ‘no one is above the law’

Steve Bannon echoed the comments of FBI Director Kash Patel on Friday, when he appeared to celebrate the raid on John Bolton’s home.

“Finally: No one is above the law,” wrote Bannon, a former White House’s chief strategist.

Roger Stone mocks John Bolton raid, after his own dawn raid in 2019

Roger Stone has made several social media posts mocking John Bolton’s FBI raid, comparing it to his own dawn raid in 2019.

“Good morning. John Bolton. How does it feel to have your home raided at 6 o’clock in the morning?” Stone posted on X on Friday.

In the early morning hours of January 25, 2019, federal agents executed a pre-dawn raid on Roger Stone’s home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This operation stemmed from an indictment by Special Counsel Robert Mueller amid the broader investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Stone was taken into federal custody, released on bond, and maintained that the charges against him were politically motivated. Later in 2020, President Trump commuted his sentence, and then issued a full pardon in December.

Trump says he could have ordered Bolton raid, calls himself ‘chief law enforcement officer’

Trump said Friday that while he was not informed in advance of the FBI’s search of John Bolton’s Maryland home, he had the authority to initiate it if he chose.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump stated, “I could know about it. I could be the one starting it. I’m actually the chief law enforcement officer. But I feel that it’s better this way.”

The comments came hours after federal agents executed a court-authorized search as part of a national security investigation into Bolton’s handling of classified documents. Trump, who revoked Bolton’s security detail earlier this year, has repeatedly criticized his former national security adviser, calling him “not a smart guy” and “very unpatriotic.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene comments in John Bolton raid

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene commented on the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home on Friday, as she said the agents were searching for “classified documents that he should not possess.”

Greene commented on the raid as she criticized an NPR article on a January 6 attorney, who represented several rioters.

RECAP: FBI raids John Bolton’s home in renewed classified documents probe

Federal agents searched the Maryland home of former National Security Adviser John Bolton early Friday as part of a national security investigation into the handling of classified materials. The FBI confirmed it was conducting “court-authorized activity” and emphasized there was no threat to public safety.

The search, which began around 7 a.m., reportedly stems from a criminal inquiry that originated during the Biden administration but was not pursued at the time. A second location tied to Bolton in Washington, D.C., was also searched.

Bolton, a prominent critic of Donald Trump since leaving the administration in 2019, has faced past scrutiny over his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened. The Justice Department previously sued to block its release, alleging it contained classified content, but the case was dropped in 2021.

Trump, who revoked Bolton’s security detail earlier this year, denied prior knowledge of the raid. FBI Director Kash Patel and other senior officials posted cryptic messages on social media referencing the operation, with Patel writing, “NO ONE is above the law.”

The investigation reportedly includes concerns about potential leaks to the media. Bolton has not been charged, and his legal team has not issued a public statement. The Justice Department maintains that its decisions in the case have been based on legal merit, not political motivation.

The Bolton-Trump feud explained

John Bolton’s tenure as Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor was marked by sharp policy disagreements and a fundamental clash of styles that ultimately led to one of the most acrimonious fallouts of the Trump presidency. Appointed in April 2018, Bolton was known for his hardline foreign policy positions, particularly on Iran, North Korea and Venezuela. Trump, by contrast, often preferred symbolic diplomacy and headline-grabbing meetings over sustained confrontation. The divergence in approach created constant friction inside the White House.

The relationship collapsed in September 2019. Trump announced on social media that he had dismissed Bolton, while Bolton countered that he had resigned. Trump quickly turned on his former adviser, publicly deriding him as a “warmonger” who advocated for endless wars but failed to deliver results. Bolton, initially restrained, soon began to signal deep dysfunction at the highest levels of government.

The feud escalated dramatically in June 2020 with the release of Bolton’s memoir, The Room Where It Happened. The book portrayed Trump as erratic, uninformed and motivated largely by personal and political interests. Among its most damaging allegations was the claim that Trump sought China’s assistance in his re-election campaign and prioritized trade negotiations over national security. The president responded with fury, branding Bolton a liar, “wacko,” and profiteer willing to expose classified information.

Since then, the dispute has become entrenched. Trump continues to dismiss Bolton as disloyal and ineffective, while Bolton has positioned himself as one of Trump’s fiercest Republican critics, arguing that the former president is unfit for office and a danger to national security.

FBI raids John Bolton’s home over 2020 memoir: What he wrote about Trump

The FBI was searching the Maryland home and Washington office of former national security adviser John Bolton on Friday morning, part of a renewed investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified information related to his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, a source told CNN and the Associated Press.

Bolton, a hawkish figure who frequently clashed with then-President Donald Trump and later became one of his fiercest critics, was not detained or charged. The dual search warrants, however, signaled a sharp escalation in a case once thought closed.

At the time of its release, The Room Where It Happened was one of the most high-profile and damaging insider accounts of the Trump presidency. It sold more than 780,000 copies in its first week. Trump publicly threatened Bolton with jail time, and his Justice Department sued to block the book’s release and seize the author’s profits.

Read the full story by Jesus Mesa on Newsweek.

Who is John Bolton’s wife?

John Bolton, the former national security adviser and longtime conservative figure, has been married to Gretchen Smith Bolton since 1986. Gretchen, a financial planner with AXA Advisors, was born in Kansas City in 1945 and was previously divorced in 1973 before marrying Bolton. The couple has one daughter, Jennifer Sarah Bolton, a Yale graduate who currently works in the private sector.

Before his current marriage, Bolton was married to Christina Bolton from 1972 until their divorce in 1983. Since 1986, he and Gretchen have lived in Bethesda, Maryland, where they’ve maintained a quiet but visible presence in the community.

Bernie Sanders defends John Bolton amid FBI raid

John Bolton has found an unlikely ally in Sen. Bernie Sanders who condemned Donald Trump and his administration for raiding the home of someone who criticized the president.

“John Bolton and I have nothing in common politically,” he said.

“But last time I heard, in America, people are allowed to criticize the President of the United States without the FBI showing up on their doorstep.

“Just another step in Trump’s march toward authoritarianism,” he added.

WATCH | Trump reacts to John Bolton raid: ‘He’s not a very smart guy’

Norm Eisen condemns FBI raid on Bolton as political intimidation

Former U.S. ambassador and impeachment counsel Norm Eisen sharply criticized the FBI’s search of John Bolton’s home and office, calling it “an obvious act of intimidation.” In a joint statement with Susan Corke, executive director of the Democracy Defenders Fund, Eisen argued the raid undermines the right to dissent from government authority.

“Raiding the home of a high-profile critic in this way is an attack on the fundamental American right to disagree with the government,” the statement read.

Eisen contrasted the operation with the 2022 search of Donald Trump’s Florida estate, noting that federal agents had spent a year negotiating with Trump before executing the warrant.

The Bolton raid, he suggested, lacked similar restraint and raises concerns about politically motivated enforcement.

WATCH: What we know about the raid of John Bolton’s house

Trump brands Bolton a ‘lowlife’

President Donald Trump has branded John Bolton “a real sort of lowlife” as the FBI raided the home of his former National Security Advisor.

Trump has repeatedly attacked Bolton since the release of his memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which portrayed Trump as erratic, uninformed, and often driven by personal or political gain rather than national interest.

On Thursday, Trump claimed he knew little about the raid on Bolton’s home, but then suggested that he himself “could be the one starting it. I’m actually the chief law enforcement officer.”

“He’s not a smart guy. But he could be a very unpatriotic guy. We’re gonna find out,” Trump added of Bolton.

WATCH: Trump says he is ‘not a fan’ of Bolton

When was John Bolton’s memoir released?

John Bolton’s memoir, The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, was officially published and released on June 23, 2020.

It recounts his time as U.S. National Security Advisor, from 2018 to 2019, under Donald Trump.

The book focuses on behind-the-scenes details of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, portraying President Trump as erratic, uninformed, and often driven by personal or political gain rather than national interest.

Bolton’s Bethesda neighbors react to FBI raid and public persona

John Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, has long stood out in the quiet suburban neighborhood, marked by black SUVs and a steady Secret Service presence—until earlier this year, when President Trump revoked Bolton’s security detail. The move followed escalating tensions between the former national security adviser and the administration.

On Friday morning, as FBI agents searched the property in connection with a classified documents investigation, neighbors offered mixed reactions. Gerald Rogell, who lives across the street, described Bolton as distant. “John Bolton is not our favorite person,” he said, attributing the aloofness to Bolton’s high-profile career.

Despite personal impressions, Rogell and others expressed uncertainty about the motives behind the search, with some questioning whether it was politically driven. The raid has intensified scrutiny of Bolton’s past disclosures and reignited debate over the use of federal power in politically charged investigations.

Trump is ‘not a fan’ of Bolton

Trump said Friday he was not informed in advance about the FBI’s search of former national security adviser John Bolton’s Maryland residence.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump highlighted that he had instructed the Justice Department not to brief him on such matters.

“I’m not a fan of John Bolton,” Trump added.

Legal expert warns Bolton could face up to 20 years if national defense info involved

Constitutional law scholar Jonathan Turley says the FBI’s investigation into former National Security Adviser John Bolton could carry severe legal consequences if it involves national defense information.

Speaking on Fox News, Turley noted that such cases trigger elevated penalties under federal law.

“We’re not clear as to what that is, but I would suggest that it could be national defense information,” Turley said. “The reason that’s important is that it creates a heightened potential of penalty, so you can have penalties that last five to 20 years.”

Trump: ‘I know nothing about it’

Speaking today, Trump said he didn’t know about the FBI raid on Bolton’s home.

Trump added: “When I hired him, he served a good purpose because he was one of the people that forced George W. Bush to do the ridiculous bombings in the Middle East.”

“He can be very unpatriotic. We’re going to find out. I know nothing about it, I just saw it this morning.”

FBI agents seen entering Bolton’s home as media crowds Bethesda Street

Federal agents were spotted Friday morning carrying cardboard boxes into the Bethesda, Maryland, home of former National Security Adviser John Bolton, intensifying public attention around an ongoing classified documents investigation. The agents, wearing FBI jackets, arrived as part of a court-authorized search that began earlier in the day.

Outside the residence, roughly two dozen reporters gathered along the busy suburban road, while local police maintained a visible presence. Six vehicles, including a dark-colored SUV, were parked in Bolton’s driveway as agents continued their activity inside.

FBI Deputy Director Bongino says ‘public corruption will not be tolerated’

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has warned that “public corruption will not be tolerated” as the raid continues on John Bolton’s home.

Bongino made his comments on X, as he shared an earlier post from FBI Director Kash Patel who had shared a cryptic message this morning, writing “No one is above the law.”

Bolton home search tied to memoir’s alleged disclosures

The FBI’s search of John Bolton’s Maryland residence is part of a revived investigation into whether the former national security adviser unlawfully disclosed classified information in his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, according to reporting by CNN’s Kristen Holmes.

The book, which offered a scathing account of President Donald Trump’s first term, quickly became a bestseller and drew sharp criticism from the White House. Federal officials previously attempted to block its release, citing national security concerns, but the Justice Department dropped its lawsuit in 2021.

Bolton has not been charged, and his legal team has yet to comment publicly on the search.

House Intel Chair Rep. Crawford calls FBI raid ‘troubling’

House Intel Chair, Rep. Rick Crawford, called the FBI raid of John Bolton’s home “troubling” on Friday.

Crawford, a Republican representative for Arkansas, said that “while all accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, the news of this situation is incredibly troubling.

“Nobody is above the law,” he added before thanking FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi for “their professionalism in ensuring this case moves forward to conclusion.”

Bolton’s team silent as FBI raid prompts media scrutiny

Efforts to obtain comment from John Bolton’s office following the FBI raid on his Maryland home have been met with silence.

When contacted by Newsweek, an assistant at the Foundation for American Security and Freedom abruptly ended the call after being asked about the search. Subsequent calls went unanswered and straight to voicemail.

Attempts to contact the FBI yielded similar results—calls were picked up but terminated before any statements were made.

FBI speaks out about John Bolton’s home being raided

Top officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have reacted after feds raided the home of former national security adviser John Bolton.

“NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted to X on Friday. Deputy Director Dan Bongino reposted Patel’s comments alongside the caption: “Public corruption will not be tolerated.”

While neither directly mentioned Bolton, a member of President Donald Trump‘s first-term administration, their comments came shortly after the New York Post reported that the FBI had launched a raid of Bolton’s residence in the Washington, D.C. area. Citing an unnamed official in the administration, the Post reported that the raid was prompted by a year-long national security probe into Bolton involving classified documents.

Read in full from Hugh Cameron on Newsweek.

FBI confirms it is conducting ‘court-authorized activity’

Federal agents searched the Maryland residence of former National Security Adviser John Bolton on Friday, marking a significant escalation in a years-long investigation into his handling of classified materials. The FBI confirmed it was conducting “court-authorized activity,” though Bolton has not been charged.

The inquiry centers on whether Bolton unlawfully retained or disclosed sensitive information, including material tied to his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened. The Trump administration previously attempted to block the book’s release, citing national security concerns, but courts allowed publication.

The case, dormant for years, has gained momentum under Trump’s second term. One of his first actions upon returning to office was revoking Bolton’s security detail, originally granted due to threats from Iran.

Legal experts note that home searches often signal a late-stage effort to corroborate evidence already gathered through digital or subpoenaed records. Bolton’s legal team has not commented publicly on the raid.

Bolton: ‘I think he’s already come after me and several others’

In a recent appearance on ABC News’ This Week, before this raid, former National Security Adviser John Bolton expressed concern that the Trump administration is targeting him and others as part of a broader campaign of political retaliation.

When asked by host Jonathan Karl whether he feared being singled out, Bolton responded, “I think he’s already come after me and several others,” referencing the withdrawal of security protections following the U.S. strike on Iranian commander Qasem Suleimani.

Bolton added that he views the current administration as a “retribution presidency.”

Adam Kinzinger calls Bolton raid ‘a message’

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger sharply criticized the FBI’s raid on John Bolton’s Maryland home, calling it an act of intimidation rather than a legitimate pursuit of justice. In a post on X, Kinzinger claimed the Trump-aligned FBI had spent a year requesting classified documents from Bolton before executing the search.

“This is pure intimidation on Bolton,” he wrote. “But there will be no conviction… it’s the raid that is the message.”

Miles Taylor condemns FBI raid on John Bolton’s home as political retaliation

Former Homeland Security official Miles Taylor reacted sharply Friday to news of the FBI’s raid on John Bolton’s Maryland home, writing in a post on X, “You cannot ignore this, America. Our Republic is being used as a revenge machine.”

Mulvaney brings up Bolton’s 2022 defense of FBI as agents search home

A 2022 quote from former National Security Adviser John Bolton is drawing renewed attention following his own FBI search today.

In the aftermath of the Mar-a-Lago raid three years ago, Bolton urged restraint, saying, “Everybody just ought to calm down, whether you’re pro-Trump or anti-Trump, and let the process work its way through,” according to a tweet shared by former Trump chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

Bolton tweeted about Russia-Ukraine peace talks ahead of announcement of raid

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton criticized ongoing diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine in a tweet this morning ahead of the announcement of his home raid, asserting that Moscow’s core objective remains unchanged: absorbing Ukraine into a revived Russian empire.

“Russia has not changed its goal,” Bolton wrote on X. “Moscow has demanded that Ukraine cede territory it already holds and the remainder of Donetsk, which it has been unable to conquer. Zelensky will never do so.”

Bolton added, “Meetings will continue because Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize,” he added, “but I don’t see these talks making any progress.”

His remarks come amid renewed trilateral discussions involving Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian officials.

Bolton said in 2020 that he destroyed notes before leaving the White House

In 2020, former National Security Adviser John Bolton said he did not retain or remove any classified documents when he left the White House in 2019, asserting that all notes taken during his tenure were destroyed. In a Fox News interview at the time, Bolton explained that he routinely disposed of his handwritten records using burn bags, a practice he claimed was common among senior officials.

The comments came as Bolton’s memoir, The Room Where It Happened, was released despite efforts by the Department of Justice to block its publication. A federal judge allowed the book to proceed, acknowledging national security concerns but noting its widespread pre-release circulation.

Bolton denied violating the Presidential Records Act, arguing the notes were not official records and that others followed similar procedures. At the time, the DOJ filed a civil suit seeking to prevent Bolton from profiting from the book, which reportedly earned him a $2 million advance.

The memoir includes explosive allegations about then-President Donald Trump, including claims of soliciting election help from China and leveraging military aid to pressure Ukraine.

Bondi: ‘Justice will be pursued’

Attorney General Pam Bondi shared a tweet, quoting FBI Director Kash Patel on X, writing: “America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.”

FBI searches John Bolton’s Maryland home in classified documents probe

Federal agents searched the Bethesda, Maryland, home of former national security adviser John Bolton early Friday as part of an investigation into the handling of classified materials. Bolton, who served under President Donald Trump for 17 months before becoming a vocal critic, was not detained and has not been charged, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The search comes amid renewed scrutiny of Bolton’s past disclosures, including his 2020 memoir, which previously drew accusations of revealing sensitive information. The Justice Department dropped its case against him in 2021.

Earlier this year, Trump revoked the security clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials, including Bolton, and canceled his protective detail. The FBI has not commented publicly on the scope or origin of the current investigation.

FBI Director Kash Patel’s cryptic message

Earlier this morning, amid the reported raid on John Bolton’s home, Patel posted this message on X: