Former national security adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to one count of retaining classified information as part of a deal with the Justice Department. This agreement may allow him to avoid prison time. The case, which was filed in October, initially charged Bolton with 18 counts related to the retention and dissemination of classified information, including notes from his government service that he allegedly shared with family members while preparing a memoir.
Under the plea agreement, Bolton would face a fine of $2.25 million, and any prison sentence would be capped at five years, although he could potentially avoid incarceration altogether. The final decision on sentencing will be made by a judge.
The investigation into Bolton began prior to the indictment and became public when FBI agents executed search warrants at his Maryland home and Washington office in August 2025. Bolton, who served in various capacities under multiple administrations, has been a prominent figure in Republican foreign policy circles. His tenure as national security adviser was marked by significant disagreements with President Trump, leading to his departure in 2019.
Bolton's indictment included allegations that he shared classified information with family members, including details about foreign adversaries and U.S. intelligence methods. The re-arraignment is scheduled for June 26 in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Justice Department has not commented on the case.