The Department of Justice indicted former White House national security adviser John Bolton Thursday, according to sources CNN spoke to. The move follows reports from earlier Thursday indicating that the DOJ was pursuing an indictment.
In total, the DOJ charged Bolton with 18 counts, including eight counts of transferring national defense information and 10 counts of retaining national defense information. Bolton is the third critic of President Donald Trump the DOJ has sought to prosecute.
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According to CNN, the charges stem from Bolton allegedly sharing highly classified information with his wife and daughter through email. Previously, the Justice Department stated that Bolton was writing notes to himself in an AOL email account. They said that he was writing summaries of his daily activities while he was working under the first Trump administration.
Bolton is expected to turn himself in to the authorities in Greenbelt, Maryland, as early as Friday.
The indictment follows a federal law enforcement court filing stating authorities obtained documents labeled “classified” and “secret” during a search of his home in August.
What has the reaction been to the indictment?
Trump responded to the news, saying that he didn’t know the indictment was happening and told reporters that Bolton was a “bad man.”
“You’re telling me for the first time, but I think he’s, you know, a bad person. I think he’s a bad guy,” Trump said. “Yeah, he’s a bad guy, too bad, but that’s the way it goes, right?”
Q: "John Bolton was just indicted…Do you have a reaction?"
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) October 16, 2025
Trump: "I didn't know that. You're telling me for the first time. But I think he's a bad person. I think he's a bad guy."
Q: "Have you reviewed the case?"
Trump: "No, I haven't. But I just think he's a bad person." pic.twitter.com/zT9SlsYGZD
FBI Director Kash Patel released a statement following Bolton’s indictment. In it, he stated Bolton was allegedly transmitting top secret information using personal accounts, a direct violation of federal law.
“The case was based on meticulous work from dedicated career professionals at the FBI who followed the facts without fear or favor,” Patel said. “Weaponization of justice will not be tolerated, and this FBI will stop at nothing to bring to justice anyone who threatens our national security.”
What is Bolton’s history?
During the first Trump administration, Bolton served as his national security adviser. He also served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under former President George W. Bush.
Since leaving the Trump administration, Bolton has criticized the president. In an exclusive interview with USA Today, Bolton said he would’ve convicted Trump if he were a senator during Trump’s first impeachment trial.
This is a developing story, and more information will be added as it is received.
