Why they raided John Bolton’s home

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Federal agents raided the Maryland home and Washington office of former National Security Adviser, turned fierce Trump critic, John Bolton, on Friday, investigating allegations of mishandling classified documents from his 2020 memoir. The probe, reopened by FBI Director Kash Patel based on CIA intelligence, has fueled accusations of political retaliation, with Trump criticizing Bolton and critics decrying it as an abuse of power. Bolton denies wrongdoing, as the case highlights tensions over national security and accountability in Washington.

Original Case

John Bolton, who served as National Security Adviser during Donald Trump’s first administration from April 2018 to September 2019, published a memoir titled “The Room Where It Happened” in June 2020. The book detailed his experiences in the White House and included accounts of foreign policy decisions involving countries such as Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Ukraine. Prior to publication, Bolton submitted the manuscript for a pre-publication review by the National Security Council, as required for former officials handling sensitive information.

Separately, the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation in 2020 to determine whether Bolton had unlawfully disclosed classified information in the book. Some reports also referenced allegations that Bolton used a private email to send classified documents related to the book.

Why It Was Paused

However, the Trump administration’s Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit in June 2020 to block the book’s release, alleging that it contained classified information and that Bolton had not fully completed the review process. A federal judge rejected the government’s request to halt publication, ruling that the book had already been widely distributed, but noted that Bolton’s actions raised national security concerns and that he could face potential liability for any unauthorized disclosures.

The criminal investigation and civil lawsuit continued into the early months of the Biden administration. In June 2021, the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden dropped both the criminal probe and the civil suit without filing charges against Bolton. This decision also ended efforts to seize proceeds from the book’s sales.

Why It Is Being Reopened

In 2025, under the second Trump administration, the Department of Justice resumed the investigation into Bolton’s handling of classified materials. On August 22, 2025, FBI agents conducted court-authorized searches of Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, and his office in Washington, D.C., as part of this renewed national security probe.

The searches focused on whether Bolton illegally possessed or shared classified information, with agents removing boxes from the properties. The original book research haas not so far been mentioned. Bolton was not detained or charged during the searches.