SouthernWorldwide.com – Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton has pleaded guilty to one count out of an 18-count indictment. The sentencing for this plea is scheduled for the fall.
During a federal district court hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland, Bolton admitted guilt to the twelfth count. This count specifically alleges unauthorized possession of a document pertaining to national defense.
This particular count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. However, both the prosecution and defense have agreed that the maximum prison sentence Bolton will face is five years.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes addressed reporters outside the courthouse, stating that the case underscores the principle that “no one is above the law.” Hayes did not take questions from the press.
FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JOHN BOLTON TO PLEAD GUILTY TO RETAINING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION: SOURCES
“The rules governing classified and national defense information apply equally to everyone, regardless of position, and regardless of how long you have served with the United States government,” Hayes stated in her remarks.
“The national defense information at issue in this case was classified at the highest classification levels,” Hayes continued. “It contained human intelligence using sensitive sources and methods, and it discussed a covert action program. Mr. Bolton admitted he shared more than 1,000 pages of information about his day-to-day activities as the national security advisor.”
A prosecutor from the Department of Justice informed Judge Theodore Chuang that Bolton also faces a fine of $2.25 million. Half of this amount is due within five days. Additionally, he is required to undergo a debriefing with a U.S. intelligence committee, serve three years of supervised release, and complete up to 100 hours of community service.
Bolton, who served as national security advisor from April 2018 to September 2019, has also agreed to forgo any annuity or retirement benefits from his federal service.
When Judge Chuang asked Bolton if he was pleading guilty after hearing the summary of facts, the former Trump official responded, “I am your honor, and I’m sorry for it.”
The sentencing date has been set for October 28. The government intends to dismiss the remaining charges at that hearing.
By entering a guilty plea, Bolton has waived his right to appeal the sentence and conviction. Judge Chuang noted that Bolton will have the opportunity to withdraw his guilty plea before sentencing, a window that will close once the sentencing phase is concluded.
Authorities initially raided Bolton’s home and office in August of last year. He was indicted in October, facing charges related to both the transmission and retention of classified documents.
JOHN BOLTON INDICTED WITH IMPROPER HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS
The indictment details that the documents Bolton unlawfully possessed contained intelligence concerning potential future attacks by an adversarial group in another country.
Prosecutors indicated that the documents also included information about a liaison partner sharing sensitive intelligence with the U.S. intelligence community, as well as intelligence suggesting a foreign adversary was planning a future missile launch.
Many of these documents were marked “TOP SECRET,” according to the prosecution.
“From on or about April 9, 2018, through at least on or about August 22, 2025, BOLTON abused his position as National Security Advisor by sharing more than a thousand pages of information about his day-to-day activities as the National Security Advisor,” the indictment stated.
BOLTON MAY BE IN HOT WATER AS FBI INVESTIGATION EXPANDS BEYOND CONTROVERSIAL BOOK
“BOLTON also unlawfully retained documents, writings, and notes relating to the national defense, including information classified up to the TOP SECRET/SCI level, in his home in Montgomery County, Maryland,” it further detailed.
Prosecutors allege that Bolton shared this information with two family members via his personal email account.
Court records indicate that this email account was subsequently hacked by an individual believed to be associated with Iran, following Bolton’s departure from office.
Since leaving his position, Bolton and Trump have had a contentious relationship, frequently engaging in public criticism of each other over foreign policy differences.
While Trump stated that he fired Bolton, Bolton maintained that he resigned voluntarily.
Bolton published a memoir in 2020 titled “The Room Where It Happened,” which portrayed Trump as an erratic and irrational leader.
The Trump administration attempted to block the book’s release, arguing it contained classified national security secrets. However, a federal judge permitted the book to be published, and Bolton was not prosecuted for its contents.
Bolton’s attorney released a statement on Friday, asserting that his client “did what real leaders do.”
“He took responsibility for a mistake he made, thereby saving the government resources to pursue a case that could expose additional sensitive information,” stated Abbe Lowell. “By contrast, President Trump thumbed his nose at the classified information laws, took actual classified documents to his Florida mansion, interfered with the investigation of that conduct, and has never accepted any accountability for his conduct. Ambassador Bolton, whose offense was only keeping a diary which contained classified information, kept a record to preserve history, but Donald Trump kept secrets to serve himself.”
