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By Open Chronicle with agencies
Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty in a classified documents case linked to his handling of sensitive government information following his departure from the White House.
The case centers on allegations that Bolton retained and shared classified material derived from diary entries and personal notes related to his service during the first Trump administration. Prosecutors argued that some of the information was later used in the preparation of his 2020 memoir, which sparked controversy and legal challenges over the publication of government secrets.
Bolton, 77, had originally faced 18 criminal charges, including ten counts of retaining national defense information and eight counts of transmitting classified information. Under the reported plea agreement, he will admit guilt to charges related to the improper retention of classified material.
The agreement is expected to spare Bolton from mandatory federal prison time, although it includes a substantial financial penalty of $2 million. A federal judge will ultimately determine whether any prison sentence will accompany the plea deal.
Bolton served as National Security Adviser from 2018 until 2019, when his relationship with President Donald Trump deteriorated amid disagreements over foreign policy. The two frequently clashed on issues involving Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan, with Bolton advocating a more aggressive approach than the president was often willing to pursue.
Tensions between the former adviser and Trump intensified after the publication of Bolton’s memoir, which offered a detailed account of internal White House deliberations. Trump repeatedly accused Bolton of revealing classified information, allegations that later became a focus of federal investigations.
According to reports, the investigation gained momentum after Bolton’s email account was compromised in a cyberattack in 2021. During the subsequent inquiry, authorities reportedly discovered personal notes and diary entries that had been shared with family members, including his wife and daughter.
The case has attracted significant attention because of Bolton’s prominent role in U.S. national security policy and his long career in government. It also highlights ongoing concerns within Washington over the handling of classified information by current and former officials.
Bolton’s guilty plea is expected to bring an end to a legal battle that has stretched for months, though the outcome will depend on the sentencing decision of the court.