Ex-Trump advisor John Bolton pleads guilty to retaining national defense information
John Bolton is one of several foes of President Donald Trump who has been indicted since Trump regained the White House.
TL;DR
- John Bolton, former national security advisor to President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to retaining national defense information.
- The information was classified up to TOP SECRET and included Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
- Bolton used the retained information to prepare a book critical of President Trump.
- He faces a maximum of five years in prison and has agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine.
- Bolton and his survivors will be barred from collecting federal retirement pay due to the conviction.
- The Department of Justice stated Bolton used personal accounts to send classified information to unauthorized family members, and one account was hacked by an actor linked to Iran.
- Bolton is one of three high-profile opponents of Trump indicted on federal criminal charges since Trump's second term began in January 2025.