US FBI Searches Home of Former White House National Security Advisor Bolton, a Leading Trump Critic

Allegations of Illegal Sharing and Possession of Classified Information
Analysis Suggests Escalation of Trump’s Political Retribution

On August 22 (local time), FBI agents conducted a search of the Maryland home of John Bolton, who served as White House National Security Advisor during the first Trump administration, according to reports from local media including The New York Times (NYT) and the Associated Press (AP).

An FBI spokesperson told the NYT that the deployment of FBI agents to Bolton's residence was "being carried out under court authorization." According to anonymous sources, the investigation aims to determine whether Bolton illegally shared or possessed classified information.

On January 20, the day of his second-term inauguration, President Trump issued an executive order revoking security clearances for former intelligence officials, including Bolton. He also ended the Secret Service protection that had been in place due to assassination threats from Iran.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted briefly on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, "No one is above the law." Attorney General Pam Bondi shared Patel's post on X, adding, "America's security is non-negotiable. Justice will always be pursued."

Regarding the FBI search, the NYT reported that neither Bolton nor his attorney have responded so far.

Bolton served as the third White House National Security Advisor in the first Trump administration, following Michael Flynn and H. R. McMaster, from April 2018. Known as a "super hawk," he advocated for hardline policies on North Korea, Iran, and Venezuela, which led to clashes with President Trump. He was dismissed in September 2019 after 17 months in office. Since then, Bolton has become one of the most prominent anti-Trump figures in the United States, frequently criticizing President Trump on various issues.

This has led to concerns in the U.S. that President Trump's "political retaliation" may be reaching dangerous levels. Bolton was considered a thorn in President Trump's side. Even the day before the search, Bolton commented that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "subdued" President Trump at the recent Alaska summit.

The NYT described the investigation as "a new chapter in President Trump’s campaign of retribution against critics," adding, "Loyalists within the White House, the Justice Department, and the FBI are sending a clear message: 'Stay silent, or the formidable power of federal law enforcement will be used to threaten your position or freedom and leave you under perpetual suspicion.'" The Washington Post (WP) also editorialized that "the FBI raid targeting Bolton crosses a line even in Trump’s campaign of vengeance," emphasizing, "This case shows just how dangerous it is to place politically biased individuals at the helm of law enforcement agencies."

NBC News, citing sources, reported that the intelligence forming the basis for the search warrant against Bolton was provided by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to FBI Director Kash Patel. This means that the two leading U.S. intelligence agencies cooperated to target a former national security chief. There is growing attention on whom President Trump’s agencies might target next. Last month, President Trump publicly accused former President Barack Obama of "treason." The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether the Obama administration orchestrated the so-called "Russiagate"-the allegation that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump, then the Republican candidate.

The WP noted that the investigation into Bolton began while federal investigators were already probing other Trump critics, including former New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Senator Adam Schiff, former FBI Director James Comey, and former CIA Director John Brennan.