John Bolton, the former U.S. National Security Advisor under Donald Trump, has been indicted on 18 counts of transmitting and retaining classified information, making him the third critic of President Trump to face criminal charges in recent weeks.
The 76-year-old veteran diplomat was charged by a federal grand jury in Maryland, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
According to the 26-page indictment, Bolton allegedly shared top-secret documents via email with two “unauthorized individuals” — believed to be his wife and daughter. The Justice Department said the materials included intelligence about future attacks, foreign adversaries, and diplomatic relations.
When asked about the indictment, President Trump told reporters, “He’s a bad guy… that’s the way it goes.”
The charges come amid what many critics describe as a broader campaign of political retaliation by Trump’s administration against his perceived enemies. In the past two weeks, New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey — both vocal Trump critics — have also been charged with alleged financial and procedural crimes.
James, who successfully prosecuted Trump in a major financial fraud case, called the charges against her “baseless” and “political retribution.” Comey, meanwhile, has pleaded not guilty and plans to seek dismissal of his case, citing selective prosecution.
Bolton’s home and office were raided by FBI agents in August as part of the investigation.
A longtime foreign policy hawk and critic of Iran, Bolton served as Trump’s National Security Advisor during his first term but became a fierce opponent after leaving the White House.
He later published a scathing memoir titled The Room Where It Happened, in which he described Trump as “unfit to be president.”
Following the book’s release, Trump revoked Bolton’s security clearance and repeatedly attacked him on social media.
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has purged officials he deems disloyal, defunded universities he accuses of bias, and urged his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to take legal action against political adversaries — including James, Comey, and others.
The cases against James and Comey were filed by Trump-appointed U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan, after the previous prosecutor resigned, citing insufficient evidence.
Bolton’s indictment underscores growing alarm over the weaponisation of the justice system under Trump’s second administration, with critics warning it represents a direct assault on political dissent and the rule of law in the United States.
