AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton was indicted in Maryland for mishandling classified documents, joining a list of Trump’s political opponents facing charges. This follows an FBI search of Bolton’s home and office. Justice Department officials reportedly pushed for a swift indictment despite prosecutors’ concerns about the strength of the case. Bolton’s attorney argues any classified documents he possesses are from the Bush administration, declassified, and approved for his book. Trump responded by calling Bolton a “bad guy.” The indictment is part of a series of cases against Trump’s adversaries.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
Topline
President Donald Trump’s former national security advisor, John Bolton, was indicted Thursday in Maryland, where he is being investigated for the potential mishandling of classified documents — becoming the third political foe of Trump indicted in recent weeks.
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton speaks at a panel at the Willard InterContinental Hotel on August 17, 2022 in Washington, DC.
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Key Facts
The criminal charges come after FBI agents searched Bolton’s home and office in August, reportedly as part of a broader investigation into whether Bolton possessed or shared classified information.
Top DOJ officials had reportedly been pressuring prosecutors to swiftly bring charges against Bolton, despite protestations from prosecutors that it would be better to wait in order to build a stronger case, though CNN reports they’ve since dropped those concerns.
Bolton’s attorney Abbe Lowell has maintained Bolton did not unlawfully possess any classified materials, saying prior to Bolton’s charges that any documents in his possession with classified markings are from the George W. Bush administration and no longer classified, and the documents “had been previously approved as part of a pre-publication review for Amb. Bolton’s book.”
When informed of Bolton’s indictment by reporters Thursday, Trump said, “I think he’s a bad person. I think he’s a bad guy, yeah, he’s a bad guy. It’s too bad but that’s the way it goes.”
