By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton has agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine and plead guilty to a charge related to the mishandling of classified government information, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The agreement marks a significant development in a long-running legal case involving one of the most prominent figures from President Donald Trump’s first administration.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Bolton is expected to plead guilty to a single count of retaining classified information during a court hearing scheduled for June 26. The charge stems from diary entries and personal records that contained sensitive national security information accumulated during his time in government. Although the offense carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years, legal experts note that plea agreements often result in reduced penalties compared with convictions at trial.
The case centers on allegations that Bolton improperly retained and shared classified material after leaving government service. Prosecutors accused him of providing sensitive information to two relatives who were assisting with research connected to a book he was writing. Authorities alleged that the material included notes from intelligence briefings, discussions with senior U.S. government officials, and meetings with foreign leaders. Such information is subject to strict handling requirements under federal law because of its potential impact on national security.
Bolton had previously pleaded not guilty to 18 criminal charges filed against him last year. The charges sparked considerable political attention due to Bolton’s high-profile role in national security policymaking and his later transformation into one of Trump’s most outspoken critics. Throughout the legal proceedings, Bolton maintained his innocence and challenged the government’s allegations.
Sources familiar with the agreement said the plea deal does not accuse Bolton of wrongdoing related to the publication of his memoir or other written works. Instead, the agreement reportedly focuses on his handling and retention of classified materials. One source described the settlement as an acknowledgment that mistakes were made in the management of sensitive information rather than an admission of broader misconduct.
The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to comment publicly on the agreement, and representatives for Bolton have also refrained from issuing statements regarding the reported settlement.
Bolton served as National Security Adviser from 2018 to 2019 during Trump’s first term in office. He played a central role in shaping U.S. foreign policy on issues including Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, and relations with major global powers. However, his relationship with Trump deteriorated after his departure from the White House. In subsequent years, Bolton became one of the president’s most vocal Republican critics, arguing that Trump was unfit for office and publishing a memoir that detailed internal disagreements within the administration.
The plea agreement arrives at a time when the handling of classified information by current and former government officials remains a politically sensitive issue in Washington. The case underscores the legal responsibilities imposed on senior officials entrusted with access to national security secrets and highlights the potential consequences of failing to comply with federal requirements governing classified materials.
The June 26 court hearing is expected to provide further details about the terms of the agreement and any additional penalties or conditions that may accompany the settlement. Until then, the case remains a closely watched legal and political story, given Bolton’s prominence in U.S. national security circles and his long-running public feud with President Trump.
Source Reuters
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