The FBI raided the Maryland home and Washington, D.C. office of former national security adviser John Bolton as part of an investigation into classified documents. Bolton, once a close Trump aide turned outspoken critic, was not detained or charged. President Donald Trump claimed he was not briefed about the operation in advance, while Vice President JD Vance denied it was politically motivated. The raid has reignited debates over the Justice Department’s independence and the Trump administration’s handling of critics.
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FBI Search of Bolton’s Properties
On Friday, FBI agents executed court-authorized search warrants at Bolton’s Bethesda, Maryland home and his Washington office. Witnesses saw agents carrying boxes and bags from both locations. Sources said the search was linked to the handling of classified information. Bolton was present in his office building during part of the raid, though he did not comment publicly. His spokesperson and lawyer did not return calls for clarification.
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Trump Responds to Raid
Speaking to reporters at the White House Historical Association, Trump said he only learned about the raid through media coverage. “I tell the group I don’t want to know, but just you have to do what you have to do. I don’t want to know about it,” Trump said. He added, “I’m not a fan of John Bolton. He’s a real sort of a lowlife. He’s not a smart guy. But he could be very unpatriotic. I’m going to find out.”
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Vice President Vance’s Defense
Vice President JD Vance firmly denied political motivations behind the FBI’s actions. In an interview with NBC, he said, “We don’t think that we should throw people, even if they disagree with us politically, maybe especially if they disagree with us politically, you shouldn’t throw people willy-nilly in prison. You should let the law drive these determinations, and that’s what we’re doing.” He emphasized that if no crime was found, Bolton would not face prosecution.
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Justice Department and FBI Reaction
While the Justice Department declined official comment, agency leaders hinted at the operation online. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.” Attorney General Pam Bondi reposted with: “America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.” These posts drew attention to concerns that the administration may be wielding law enforcement powers against critics.
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Bolton’s History with Trump
John Bolton served as Trump’s national security adviser for 17 months before a bitter departure in 2019. He later authored a scathing memoir, “The Room Where It Happened,” accusing Trump of ignorance in foreign policy and conspiracy-driven thinking. Trump retaliated by calling Bolton a “crazy warmonger” who could have caused “World War Six.” Bolton had also warned earlier this year: “Anybody who ever disagrees with Trump has to worry about retribution. It’s a pretty long list.”
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Previous Legal Battles
The Justice Department had earlier pursued Bolton over claims that his book contained classified information. In 2020, senior officials including then-NSA Director Paul Nakasone testified that parts of Bolton’s manuscript risked national security. Bolton’s lawyers argued the content had been cleared, and the Biden administration eventually dropped the lawsuit in 2021. The latest raid appears to revive scrutiny into whether he mishandled sensitive materials.
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Broader Political Context
The raid comes against the backdrop of previous high-profile searches for classified documents, including the FBI’s 2022 search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. That case produced criminal charges which were later dismissed but remains a political flashpoint. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is also investigating Democratic figures such as Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom deny wrongdoing. The actions highlight how classified document handling has become a politically explosive issue across administrations.