John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, has pleaded not guilty to charges of mishandling classified information. The 18 charges stem from allegations he shared or retained sensitive materials, including some characterized as top secret. He entered the plea after surrendering to authorities at a federal court hearing on Friday.
Bolton served during Trump's first administration but parted with the White House contentiously and has become one of the president's most vocal public critics. The indictment makes Bolton, 76, the third of Trump's political opponents to face charges in recent weeks. Bolton has stated he would defend his lawful conduct.
Bolton, wearing a dark blue suit and maroon tie, did not speak with reporters as he arrived at the courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland. Not guilty, your honor, he declared in court. Following his plea, he was released on his own recognizance, with a hearing set for November 21.
Prosecutors accuse Bolton of using personal messaging apps and email to illegally transmit sensitive information, arguing that the documents revealed critical intelligence about future attacks, foreign adversaries, and foreign-policy relations.
In court, Bolton described the charges as political targeting, claiming he has become the latest target in weaponizing the Justice Department against Trump's perceived enemies. His indictment includes allegations of sharing diary-like entries and using personal email to convey sensitive materials, contested by his attorney as being unclassified and shared only with immediate family.
Bolton has been scrutinized for his handling of classified information since 2020, notably when he sought to publish a book about his time in the Trump administration, an effort previously blocked by the Justice Department over concerns it contained classified material. The case continues to unfold amid ongoing investigations and political tumult surrounding Trump's relationships with his former aides.
Bolton served during Trump's first administration but parted with the White House contentiously and has become one of the president's most vocal public critics. The indictment makes Bolton, 76, the third of Trump's political opponents to face charges in recent weeks. Bolton has stated he would defend his lawful conduct.
Bolton, wearing a dark blue suit and maroon tie, did not speak with reporters as he arrived at the courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland. Not guilty, your honor, he declared in court. Following his plea, he was released on his own recognizance, with a hearing set for November 21.
Prosecutors accuse Bolton of using personal messaging apps and email to illegally transmit sensitive information, arguing that the documents revealed critical intelligence about future attacks, foreign adversaries, and foreign-policy relations.
In court, Bolton described the charges as political targeting, claiming he has become the latest target in weaponizing the Justice Department against Trump's perceived enemies. His indictment includes allegations of sharing diary-like entries and using personal email to convey sensitive materials, contested by his attorney as being unclassified and shared only with immediate family.
Bolton has been scrutinized for his handling of classified information since 2020, notably when he sought to publish a book about his time in the Trump administration, an effort previously blocked by the Justice Department over concerns it contained classified material. The case continues to unfold amid ongoing investigations and political tumult surrounding Trump's relationships with his former aides.
