FBI Raids John Bolton’s Home in Classified Documents Probe, Igniting Political Storm

On Friday, August 22, 2025, FBI agents executed a court-authorized search of former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, and his Washington D.C. office. The dramatic raids are part of a renewed national security investigation into Bolton’s handling of classified materials, specifically related to his 2020 memoir, “The Room Where It Happened.” Bolton was not detained or charged, but agents were seen removing a desktop CPU and several boxes of materials from his residence.

The operation, reportedly sparked by overseas intelligence gathered by the CIA, has immediately triggered a political firestorm. Vice President JD Vance denied that the raid was politically motivated, stating on “Meet the Press” that the investigation centers on classified documents and a “broad concern” about Bolton, not his vocal criticism of President Donald Trump. Trump, who revoked Bolton’s security clearance earlier this year and called him “unpatriotic,” told reporters he was not informed in advance but asserted his authority as “chief law enforcement officer” to initiate such actions if he chose.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X, “NO ONE is above the law,” a sentiment echoed by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. However, numerous critics, including the New York Times Editorial Board, former Ambassador Norm Eisen, and Senator Bernie Sanders, condemned the raid as an “obvious act of intimidation” and political retribution against a prominent Trump critic. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) suggested the timing was a deliberate attempt to distract from the release of subpoenaed Jeffrey Epstein files.

Legal experts like Jonathan Turley warned that Bolton could face severe penalties, potentially up to 20 years in prison, if national defense information is found. The Justice Department had previously dropped a civil suit and criminal investigation related to Bolton’s memoir in 2021, making the current renewed probe a significant escalation. The search signals a deepening legal and political battle surrounding the former national security adviser and the Trump administration, with the investigation continuing.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.