Former Trump adviser John Bolton criminally indicted

October 17, 2025

John Bolton, former national security adviser to Donald Trump, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly transmitting and retaining classified national defense information. The 26-page indictment filed in Maryland accuses Bolton of sharing top-secret information through personal email and messaging apps, with prosecutors claiming he sent sensitive documents to family members that contained intelligence about attacks, adversaries, and foreign policy. Bolton, who maintains his innocence, faces 18 counts total and could receive up to 10 years in prison per charge if convicted.

Who is affected

John Bolton, former national security adviser to Donald Trump
Bolton's wife and daughter (allegedly received classified information)
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI involved in the investigation
Donald Trump, as Bolton's critic and former employer
Iranian cyber actors who allegedly hacked Bolton's personal email

What action is being taken

Federal prosecutors are pursuing 18 criminal counts against Bolton (eight for transmission and ten for retention of national defense information)
Bolton is expected to surrender to authorities on Friday
Bolton and his lawyer are preparing to defend what they describe as his "lawful conduct" in court
The Department of Justice is proceeding with the case after a grand jury found sufficient evidence to indict

Why it matters

The case represents potential mishandling of sensitive national security information, including "intelligence about future attacks, foreign adversaries, and foreign-policy relations"
Bolton becomes the third Trump critic to face criminal charges in recent weeks, raising questions about political motivations
The indictment follows Trump's public calls to prosecute his political opponents
If convicted, Bolton could face decades in prison (up to 10 years per charge)
The case involves a potential national security breach, as Iranian hackers allegedly accessed classified information from Bolton's personal email

What's next

Bolton is expected to surrender to authorities on Friday
The case will proceed through the court system in Maryland
Bolton plans to defend himself against the charges in court

Read full article from source: BBC