Former national security adviser John Bolton reportedly pleaded not guilty Friday to 18 federal charges accusing him of mishandling classified materials, becoming the latest high-profile Washington figure entangled in a politically charged criminal case.
“Not guilty, your Honor,” Bolton said firmly during his arraignment in a federal courtroom in Greenbelt, Maryland. The plea followed a Thursday indictment by a federal grand jury alleging that Bolton improperly transmitted and retained national defense information, including “diary-like entries” sent to relatives and classified records allegedly kept at his Maryland home after leaving the White House.
Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President Donald J. Trump, is accused of violating strict procedures for safeguarding sensitive information.
The indictment details communications in which Bolton allegedly shared personal reflections about his daily work with family members, as well as instances in which classified materials were not returned to federal custody after his departure from the administration.
Arriving at the courthouse early Friday morning, Bolton appeared composed but visibly tense. He surrendered to federal authorities before entering the courtroom shortly after 11 a.m. “John Robert Bolton,” he confirmed when Chief Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan asked him to state his name for the record.
Bolton told the judge he had reviewed the indictment with his attorneys and understood the charges. He surrendered his passport to his legal counsel and was released pending further proceedings.
His defense attorney, Abbe Lowell—known for representing high-profile political figures—sat beside him during the hearing, placing an arm around his client before the judge entered the room.
The two spoke quietly for several minutes as the courtroom filled with reporters.
Bolton, who has long had a complicated relationship with Trump, described himself Thursday as the “latest target” of what he called the president’s “retribution campaign.”
The case marks the third time that a former Trump adversary has faced prosecution by the Department of Justice under his administration, a fact Bolton’s allies have seized on as evidence of political motivations behind the charges.
Despite the serious allegations, Bolton’s team appeared ready to contest the government’s claims head-on. Lowell did not comment publicly after the arraignment, but Bolton’s remarks in recent days suggest he sees the case as an attempt to discredit him politically.
The indictment does not accuse Bolton of leaking classified information to the press or foreign entities, but rather of retaining and sharing it inappropriately.
The charges carry potential prison time of up to 10 years per count under the Espionage Act, though such penalties are rarely applied in full.
Bolton’s next court appearance is scheduled for November 21 before U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang, an Obama appointee randomly assigned to oversee the case.
The trial promises to draw national attention, pitting a longtime national security hawk—and one of Washington’s most outspoken critics of both Democratic and Republican administrations—against a Justice Department pursuing one of its most politically sensitive prosecutions in years.
[READ MORE: Fox Analyst Praises Socialist Mayoral Candidate’s ‘Talent’]
About Post Author
