John Bolton Surrenders in Maryland Over Classified Information Charges
Former U.S. National Security Adviser and vocal critic of President Donald Trump, John Bolton, voluntarily surrendered on Friday in a Maryland court. He faces 18 counts under the U.S. Espionage Act, accused of mishandling state secrets and sharing sensitive materials for personal gain.
Sharing Sensitive Material for a Book?
Court filings allege that Bolton passed classified briefing notes, meeting records, and private intelligence documents to his wife and daughter. The prosecution claims he intended to integrate those materials into a forthcoming publication—information considered critical to national security.
Accusations of Political Retaliation
Bolton has dismissed all charges as politically motivated. He contends that the case is part of an effort by Donald Trump to silence critics. Notably, this is the third high-profile case filed against Trump’s detractors in recent weeks.
Defense Rejects All Allegations
Bolton’s legal team maintains that he never illegally stored or shared classified material. They argue that no laws were broken. If convicted, Bolton could face up to 10 years in prison.
Key Highlights:
- John Bolton surrendered in Maryland court
- 18 charges of sharing classified intelligence
- Documents allegedly shared with wife and daughter for book
- Bolton claims political retaliation by Trump
- Conviction could bring up to 10 years behind bars