The FBI seized several classified documents from the office of former NSA John Bolton. The documents included important papers related to weapons of mass destruction, national security, and UN missions.
Alabama. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seized several classified documents from the office of John Bolton, former US National Security Advisor (NSA). These documents were stamped 'Classified', 'Confidential', and 'Secret'. This action was taken as part of an investigation to determine whether Bolton mishandled records related to defense and national security.
John Bolton served as the US NSA during Trump's first term. During this period, he worked with President Trump on national security matters.
FBI Action
According to court documents, the FBI seized documents along with Bolton's phone and computer equipment from his office in late August. The seized documents included papers related to weapons of mass destruction, national 'strategic communications', and the US mission to the United Nations. Several pages have been fully or partially redacted.
Statement from Bolton's Lawyer
Bolton's lawyer, Abe Lowell, stated that the documents do not prove any wrongdoing. He explained that many of the documents are decades old and are related to Bolton's long career at the State Department, as Assistant Attorney General, and as US Ambassador to the United Nations.
Lowell said, "A fair and complete investigation will clarify that Bolton neither retained nor misused any improper documents."
Controversy During Trump's First Term
John Bolton served as National Security Advisor for 17 months during President Donald Trump's first term. During this period, disagreements arose between him and Trump on issues such as Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea, leading to his removal in 2019. Subsequently, in 2020, Bolton criticized Trump's foreign policy and administrative methods in his book 'The Room Where It Happened'.
According to court documents, an official from the National Security Council reviewed the draft of Bolton's book and stated that it contained 'a significant amount' of classified information, some of which was at the top-secret level. Bolton's lawyer claims that the documents seized in August were part of the pre-publication review process for his book.
This action is considered part of an investigation against several of Trump's political opponents. Criminal investigations are also underway against New York Attorney General Letitia James, California Senator Adam Schiff, and former FBI Director James B. Comey.
Nature of Seized Documents
The seized documents include papers related to weapons of mass destruction, national security, strategic communications, and the US mission to the United Nations. Several pages in the court documents have been fully or partially redacted. Bolton's lawyer states that there are no improper documents among them and that his client will cooperate fully with the investigation.
