John Bolton, who served as Donald Trump's national security adviser and later became a vocal critic, pleaded guilty Friday to mishandling classified information in a case brought by Trump's Justice Department, multiple outlets reported.
Court Appearance and Plea Deal
Bolton, 77, appeared in federal court in Maryland and entered a guilty plea to a single count of unlawfully retaining classified national security information. The charge stems from his use of personal diaries while preparing a memoir about his White House tenure. The plea deal significantly reduces the original 18 counts in the indictment, but Bolton still faces up to five years in prison. He also agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine, according to ABC News.
When the judge asked if he was guilty, Bolton responded, “I am, your honor, and I’m sorry for it.”
Background of the Case
A grand jury indicted Bolton in October 2025 on charges of unlawfully transmitting and retaining classified documents, which he initially denied. The guilty plea marks the first successful prosecution from Trump's campaign against perceived political enemies.
Bolton, a longtime Republican, served as national security adviser for 17 months before leaving the White House. He clashed with Trump over foreign policy and Trump's handling of global conflicts. After leaving, Bolton published a critical memoir, The Room Where It Happened, describing Trump as “stunningly uninformed” and unfit for office.
Prosecutors alleged Bolton “abused” his position by using a personal email account and messaging app to transmit classified information to family members who may have helped with the memoir. At least eight documents were classified from “secret” to “top secret.”
Bolton's Previous Statements and Irony
When charges were first filed, Bolton said in a statement, “Now, I have become the latest target in weaponizing the Justice Department to charge those he deems to be his enemies with charges that were declined before or distort the facts.”
The case carries irony: Trump himself was indicted in June 2023 on similar charges of mishandling classified defense documents. A Trump-appointed judge dismissed that indictment in July 2024, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed.
