New information has surfaced regarding an ongoing federal investigation into former National Security Adviser John Bolton, raising concerns over whether he mishandled classified intelligence when publishing his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened.
According to a report from The New York Times, intelligence officials have been scrutinizing Bolton’s actions, and the investigation has gained momentum during the Biden administration.
The inquiry reportedly intensified after U.S. intelligence obtained information from a foreign spy service suggesting that Bolton may have shared emails containing classified material while serving in the Trump administration in 2019.
The emails, sources told The Times, were sent by Bolton to several associates using an unsecured server.
Officials believe the messages may have been derived from classified documents Bolton had access to during his time as national security adviser.
Allegations surrounding Bolton’s handling of classified material date back to 2020, when the Trump administration attempted to block publication of his memoir.
The White House argued that Bolton failed to follow the required prepublication review process with the National Security Council, a step intended to prevent the release of sensitive or classified information.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled at the time that it was too late to prevent publication, but his opinion included sharp criticism of Bolton’s actions.
Lamberth concluded that Bolton “likely published classified materials” and “exposed his country to harm.”
He allowed the government’s broader lawsuit against Bolton to continue.
That case was ultimately dismissed by the Biden Justice Department in 2021.
The new details suggest that investigators are revisiting the original allegations while pursuing additional evidence uncovered since then.
Last week, the FBI conducted searches of Bolton’s home and office after two federal judges approved warrants.
To secure the warrants, prosecutors were required to demonstrate probable cause that Bolton possessed evidence related to the mishandling of classified information.
As the investigation moves forward, reports indicate Bolton has begun exploring legal representation from Abbe Lowell, a well-known defense attorney who has represented high-profile political figures including Hunter Biden and, currently, New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Bolton, who served as national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, has been a prominent critic of President Donald Trump since leaving the administration.
His memoir, which became a bestseller, included accounts of internal White House discussions and foreign policy decisions that were contested by the Trump administration at the time of its release.
The resurfacing of questions about Bolton’s handling of classified materials adds another layer to his ongoing disputes with former colleagues and the federal government.
Investigators are continuing to review the emails allegedly sent through unsecured channels, as well as the materials seized in the FBI searches, to determine whether further legal action will be taken.
The outcome of the inquiry remains uncertain, but the developments highlight the continuing scrutiny of how former officials handle classified information after leaving government service.
