Ex-Trump adviser John Bolton expected to plead guilty in classified information case
Former U.S. National Security Advisor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton speaks during a debate titled Is the United States in the process of committing superpower suicide? in the Glenn Miller Ballroom at the University of Colorado
Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton is expected to plead guilty to retaining classified information, two sources confirmed to Fox News Digital on Thursday.
Federal authorities searched Bolton’s home and office in August 2025. He was later indicted in October on charges related to the transmission and retention of classified information.
RPT: FBI raid of John Bolton's home linked to probe
According to a report, the FBI raid of John Bolton's home is linked to the classified documents probe. Former FBI Special Agent, Miguel Clarke, joins LiveNOW from FOX with an update on the latest.
What's next:
Bolton is now expected to enter a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, pleading guilty to one count of retaining classified information. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $2.25 million.
What they're saying:
"From on or about April 9, 2018, through at least on or about August 22, 2025, BOLTON abused his position as National Security Advisor by sharing more than a thousand pages of information about his day-to-day activities as the National Security Advisor—including information relating to the national defense which was classified up to the TOP SECRET/SCI level—with two unauthorized individuals," the indictment read.
"BOLTON also unlawfully retained documents, writings, and notes relating to the national defense, including information classified up to the TOP SECRET/SCI level, in his home in Montgomery County, Maryland," it continued.
John Bolton indicted over classified documents
Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton was indicted on 18 counts related to the improper handling of classified materials. Attorney General Pam Bondi said, "There is one tier of justice for all Americans". Bolton?s Maryland home had been raided by FBI agents in August. Attorney John Day is giving more insight to LiveNOW's Mike Pache about Bolton, who held the position of White House National Security Advisor from 2018 to 2019 during Trump?s initial administration.
Dig deeper:
According to the indictment, the materials contained intelligence regarding anticipated attacks by a hostile group overseas, sensitive information provided to the U.S. intelligence community by a foreign partner, and intelligence indicating a foreign adversary was preparing for a future missile launch, among other information classified at the TOP SECRET level.
"The FBI’s investigation revealed that John Bolton allegedly transmitted top secret information using personal online accounts and retained said documents in his house in direct violation of federal law," FBI Director Kash Patel said in October. "The case was based on meticulous work from dedicated career professionals at the FBI who followed the facts without fear or favor. Weaponization of justice will not be tolerated, and this FBI will stop at nothing to bring to justice anyone who threatens our national security."
The backstory:
Bolton served as national security advisor during President Donald Trump’s first administration from 2018 to 2019.
A source familiar with the early stages of the investigation told Fox News Digital that CIA Director John Ratcliffe provided Patel with limited access to U.S. intelligence that formed the basis for the search warrant. The source said the evidence supported the decision to search Bolton’s residence.
The Source: FOX News contributed to this report. The reporting is based on information from two sources who confirmed to Fox News Digital. This story was reported from Los Angeles.