FBI Seizes Bolton Devices, Finds Classified Materials

On Aug. 22 federal agents executed court-authorized searches of former national security adviser John Bolton’s Washington, D.C., office and his Bethesda home, seizing computers, other electronics and a USB drive. Court inventory said agents seized folders and pages marked “confidential,” “secret” and “classified,” including travel memos, documents involving the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, a U.S. strategic communications plan and files referencing weapons of mass destruction; the home search showed no obvious classified papers. The Justice Department is investigating possible violations including unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials, conspiracy to gather or transmit national defense information under the Espionage Act, and mishandling of government records. Filings say Bolton’s AOL account appears to have been accessed by a foreign actor and that the records were disclosed after media lawsuits seeking their release. Bolton’s lawyer says many of the materials had been previously reviewed or approved and date from his government service (1998–2006), and Bolton has not been charged in the inquiry.