Former National Security Advisor John Bolton is facing new scrutiny after federal agents conducted an early-morning raid on his Maryland home, reportedly tied to allegations he used a private email server to send classified information to family members.
The raid, which began around 7 a.m. Friday, involved more than a dozen FBI agents who were seen carrying boxes into and out of Bolton’s Bethesda residence. Agents also searched his Washington, D.C., office as part of the operation.
Allegations of Improper Sharing
According to reports cited by the Daily Mail, investigators are looking into claims that Bolton used his government email account to forward highly sensitive documents to his wife and daughter shortly before he was dismissed from the Trump administration in September 2019.
A senior U.S. official familiar with the inquiry described the actions as “literally stealing classified information, utilizing his family as a cutout.” The probe reportedly began during Trump’s presidency but slowed under the Biden administration before being revived under current FBI leadership.
Official Response
FBI Director Kash Patel, who authorized the raid, appeared to allude to the investigation on social media, writing: “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.”
Bolton, a longtime critic of Donald Trump since leaving the White House, returned home roughly eight hours after the raid began. He did not respond to reporters’ questions as he entered the residence, where his wife, Gretchen Smith Bolton, had earlier been seen speaking with federal agents.
Next Steps Unclear
As of now, Bolton has not been charged, and the Department of Justice has not released an official statement regarding the outcome of the raid. The incident adds to the growing list of high-profile investigations involving the handling of classified information by senior government officials.