UPDATE: 04:20 PM – An eyebrow-raising revelation has emerged from the FOX Business Network. Elizabeth MacDonald has reported that John Bolton, former national security adviser under Trump, now faces indictment.
This indictment comprises a staggering eight counts of unlawfully transmitting national defense information (NDI) and another ten counts for keeping NDI in his possession without authorization.
As per the Justice Department’s guidelines, if found guilty, Bolton could spend up to 10 years in prison for each unlawful retention count, as well as for each transmission count.
NEWS Federal grand jury just indicted John Bolton over taking classified U.S. secrets. DEVELOPING
— Elizabeth MacDonald (@LizMacDonaldFOX) October 16, 2025
Amid the legal frenzy, Josh Gerstein reported an interesting procedural development: indictments have been filed in court, although names remain under wraps. A red folder, presumably containing the arrest warrant(s), was handed to the judge by lead prosecutor Sullivan, leaving the public in suspense.
UPDATE: Indictments have been presented to the court, but names have yet to be disclosed. A mysterious red folder indicating potential arrest warrants has added to the intrigue. We wait with bated breath… https://t.co/DxKHasMGbh
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) October 16, 2025
INDICTED!
Ex-Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton indicted https://t.co/eIeGrj4VU6 pic.twitter.com/Ubj4uqAIqk
— New York Post (@nypost) October 16, 2025
Fueling the fire, FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “Our investigation indicated that John Bolton allegedly shared top-secret information through personal online accounts while retaining said documents in his home, infringing upon federal laws. Our dedicated agents, unwavering in their commitment, pursued justice without bias. This department will not stand for any misuse of justice, and we will hold accountable anyone jeopardizing national security.”
Justice Department Statements Regarding Indictment of Former National Security Advisor John Bolton https://t.co/lrNzDZqzvi @FBIBaltimore pic.twitter.com/yLcEqSjkLF
— FBI (@FBI) October 16, 2025
The Justice Department brought forward substantial evidence to a federal grand jury in Maryland, accusing Bolton of improperly transmitting classified materials via his private AOL email account during his controversial tenure from 2018 to 2019. The investigation zooms in on documents marked Secret and Confidential, primarily related to weapons of mass destruction, along with personal notes that resemble a diary, potentially containing yet more classified information.
Prosecutors claim that Bolton willfully removed, retained, or transmitted national defense information, a bold move that clashes with the Espionage Act of 1917.
In yet another twist, a Politico reporter on X noted a significant presence at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland: “As we await potential indictments against former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton for mishandling classified info, four individuals, likely prosecutors or FBI agents, have just made their way into the grand jury room. They’re currently on break.”
JUST IN: A potential indictment for former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton over classified info handling is underway, with four figures appearing to be prosecutors or FBI agents entering the grand jury room. GJ is at lunch now.
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) October 16, 2025
He also added, “And now, separately, top national security prosecutor in Maryland, Thomas Sullivan, arrives and joins others in the grand jury room….”
And now, separately the top national security prosecutor in Maryland, Thomas Sullivan, arrives and goes into the same grand jury room… https://t.co/0wiM1iHUqz
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) October 16, 2025
According to reports from MSNBC, prosecutors are indeed pressing forward with charges aligning with the Espionage Act.
BREAKING: Reports suggest that prosecutors are advancing charges against DISGRACED John Bolton today! They are pursuing charges under the ESPIONAGE ACT. A reminder, he needs to face justice for betraying our country! pic.twitter.com/TuuBVxAWC4
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) October 16, 2025
Notably, Bolton has gained notoriety for his scathing critiques of Trump, both on CNN and in his memoir The Room Where It Happened. He stands accused of keeping notes, classified memos, and digital files that the National Security Council had explicitly instructed him to return. Investigators allege he misrepresented facts during his debriefing, stating he possessed no notes from his White House days, a claim soon contradicted by subsequent findings from the NSC.
In a surprising turn of events, the Biden Administration had initially paused the investigation into Bolton. However, this turned on its head when Kash Patel revived the case, directing the FBI to raid Bolton’s residence.
On August 22, 2025, authorized agents launched searches at Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington, D.C. office, all in the quest for potential mishandling of classified materials.
Recent legal documents unveiled that investigators seized an array of devices, including computers, tablets, iPads, flash drives, and cellphones, alongside several boxes of classified documents chronicled as “Trump I-IV” and a binder titled “statements and reflections to Allied Strikes.”
Further disclosures have uncovered that Bolton harbored classified information about weapons of mass destruction and related topics concerning the United Nations.
The FBI’s report indicated that the classified records found at Bolton’s office included travel memoes labeled “secret,” confidential documents from the U.S. mission to the U.N., strategic communication files, and additional classified documents on WMDs. These revelations pose serious questions about the integrity of national security protocols.
The search warrant affidavit (partially redacted) alludes to potential breaches of the Espionage Act, raising the stakes in this high-stakes legal drama.
Access the unsealed affidavit here or below:
