The FBI conducted a raid early Friday morning at the residence of John Bolton, former National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump and a notable critic, located near Washington, D.C. This operation is part of an ongoing investigation related to the handling of classified documents.
Sources from the government confirmed that the raid also involved a search of Bolton’s office in the capital. The FBI stated that the operation was “court-approved” and did not pose any public safety threat.
Bolton was seen speaking with FBI agents, but he was not at home during the raid and has neither been detained nor charged as of Friday afternoon.
This investigation is tied to questions surrounding whether Bolton held or leaked classified materials, an issue that emerged after the release of his memoir, “The Room Where It Happened,” in 2020, which contained sensitive information from his time working with Trump.
Despite previous attempts to halt the publication of the book and various legal actions, earlier investigations during the Biden administration did not lead to any direct criminal charges against Bolton.
Prominent American officials reacted to the event, with FBI Director Kash Patel posting on social media platform X: “No one is above the law… FBI agents are on a mission.” Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that “America’s safety is non-negotiable, and justice will always prevail.”
Trump, who has been in a political feud with Bolton since his dismissal in 2019, commented on Friday morning, stating, “I’m not a fan of his; he is not smart and may be unpatriotic,” denying any prior knowledge of the raid and adding that he leaves matters to law enforcement agencies.
This incident raises questions regarding the use of federal investigations against political opponents, especially amid growing criticism of Bolton’s stances on issues like Russia and Ukraine. Opponents of the raid argue it has a political and retaliatory nature, characterizing it as an “abuse of FBI resources.”
At the same time, the details of the search warrant remain confidential, and there are no formal charges against Bolton, while calls for transparency in investigations related to national security and the handling of classified information continue.