Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a move that underscores the escalating scrutiny of former officials over the handling of classified information, the FBI on Friday conducted a search of the Maryland home and Washington office of John Bolton, the former National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump. The searches are reportedly part of an ongoing federal investigation into the potential mishandling of sensitive government materials.
A source familiar with the matter, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Bolton has neither been detained nor formally charged with any crime. The precise focus of the investigation remains undisclosed, but it is understood to revolve around the improper retention or disclosure of classified information.
Eyewitnesses observed federal agents identifiable by FBI insignia on their jackets entering the building housing Bolton’s office in downtown Washington early Friday morning. Bolton himself was seen in the lobby conversing with two individuals before reportedly heading upstairs. He did not speak to the press, and there has been no immediate response from his spokesperson or legal representatives. The Department of Justice has also declined to comment.
The search drew attention across political circles and social media. Kash Patel, a former senior Trump administration official and prominent critic of the so-called “deep state,” posted cryptically on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “No one is above the law. FBI agents are on a mission.” His post was echoed by former U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi, who added: “America’s safety is non-negotiable. Justice will always be pursued.”
The timing and optics of the search are notable, especially given Bolton’s complex history with Donald Trump. Appointed in April 2018, Bolton served as Trump’s third National Security Advisor before leaving the administration after just 17 months due to significant policy disagreements, particularly concerning Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea. Once a key architect of Trump’s national security strategy, Bolton became one of the president’s most outspoken critics after his departure.
Bolton’s post-White House actions have long been a point of legal and political contention. His 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, offered a scathing inside look at the Trump administration. The White House attempted to block its publication, arguing it revealed classified information. While a federal judge allowed the book’s release, the Department of Justice filed a civil suit and launched a grand jury investigation. That legal pursuit was eventually dropped in 2021.
The recent search may signal a renewed interest by federal authorities in revisiting whether classified material was improperly handled or disclosed. However, officials have provided few details, and it remains unclear whether this investigation directly connects to Bolton’s memoir or involves separate concerns.
The development also comes amid broader discussions about the politicization of federal law enforcement and the use of investigatory powers in Washington’s deeply polarized environment. While Bolton is now a critic of Trump, he was once considered part of the inner circle. His inclusion in a 2023 book by Patel, which listed individuals allegedly representing the entrenched “deep state” within the executive branch, illustrates the lasting divisions and mutual suspicion among former allies.
As the investigation proceeds, questions remain not only about the legal stakes for Bolton, but also about the broader implications for how classified information is safeguarded—and how former officials are held accountable after leaving public office.
