FBI Raids John Bolton's Home and Office Amid Classified Records Probe

August 22, 2025 - BETHESDA, MD - Federal agents executed court-authorized searches Friday at the Maryland home and Washington office of John Bolton, the former national security adviser under President Donald Trump. The operation is part of a Justice Department investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified materials.

The FBI has not publicly disclosed the scope of the investigation, but sources familiar with the matter say it centers on Bolton's retention of sensitive national security documents following his tenure in the Trump administration. Bolton has not been charged with any crime and was not detained during the search.

A Longtime Hawk Turned Trump Critic

Bolton, who served in senior roles under Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Trump, has long been known for his hardline foreign policy views. His 17-month stint as national security adviser ended in 2019 after sharp disagreements with Trump over Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan.

Since leaving office, Bolton has become one of Trump's most vocal Republican critics. His 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, portrayed the former president as uninformed and politically self-serving-a depiction that led to legal attempts by the Trump administration to block its release, citing classified content.

⚖️ Political Undercurrents and Retaliation Claims

The timing and target of the FBI's search have raised concerns among legal analysts and civil liberties advocates. Bolton joins a growing list of Trump critics-including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James-who have faced federal scrutiny since Trump's return to office in January.

In a recent interview, Bolton described the current administration as a "retribution presidency," warning that dissenting voices within the Republican Party could face legal retaliation.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to reference the operation in social media posts, with Patel declaring, "NO ONE is above the law... @FBI agents on mission".

Security Clearance and Iran Threats

Bolton's security clearance and Secret Service protection were revoked earlier this year, despite his status as a known target of an alleged Iranian assassination plot. The Justice Department previously confirmed that Bolton was under threat from a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The revocation of his security detail has drawn bipartisan criticism, with some lawmakers questioning whether political motives are compromising national security protocols.