The FBI’s search of John Bolton’s home and office has sparked widespread speculation about whether the former national security adviser could face criminal charges. This investigation, which initially focused on his controversial memoir, ‘The Room Where It Happened,’ now appears to extend beyond the book. A source told Fox News Digital that the scope of the probe is broader than initially indicated, suggesting potential legal consequences for Bolton.
John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump, fell out of favor with the administration in 2019. Legal experts now suggest that Bolton may face criminal charges, particularly if he retained early drafts of his memoir that contained classified information. Mark Zaid, a prominent D.C.-based attorney specializing in national security, warned that any copies of these drafts could be used to prosecute Bolton under the Espionage Act, a law historically used to punish spies and leakers of government secrets.
The Department of Justice previously brought a civil lawsuit against Bolton over the memoir, alleging that he bypassed standard prepublication review processes and allowed his publisher to proceed with printing a book containing classified information. In a court filing, Bolton claimed he did not initially believe his memoir contained classified details but later edited it after consulting with the National Security Council. However, he never received final approval from the council before publication. Bolton argued that the Trump administration’s refusal to approve the memoir’s content violated his First Amendment rights, asserting that the National Security Council had been used to suppress criticism of Trump.
Judge Royce Lamberth, a D.C. federal judge, denied the Trump DOJ’s request to block the book’s publication but criticized Bolton, stating that he had potentially exposed the country to harm and civil liability. Despite the DOJ’s allegations, no criminal charges were ever filed against Bolton, and the investigation was closed under the Biden administration. However, the recent FBI raids have reignited concerns about the possibility of legal action against Bolton, with sources suggesting the probe now includes other matters not limited to the memoir controversy.
The investigation’s expansion has drawn attention to the broader implications of the Trump DOJ’s actions, particularly its focus on political rivals. Critics note that the department has pursued multiple high-profile figures, including former Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., as well as Obama-era national security officials accused of undermining Trump’s 2016 election. Former U.S. Attorney John Fishwick of Virginia has raised concerns about the line between legitimate legal scrutiny and potential political retaliation, questioning whether the investigations are justified or merely personal vendettas.
Legal experts suggest that even if Bolton is not ultimately charged, the legal process itself could impose significant financial burdens. Attorney Jason Kander noted that the cost of legal representation in such cases can be substantial, potentially reaching half a million dollars. Meanwhile, the FBI’s ongoing investigation continues to raise questions about the balance between national security and individual rights, leaving the public to ponder the broader implications for the legal system and political accountability.