FBI agents carried out a raid at the home of former national security adviser John Bolton early Friday morning, entering his Bethesda, Maryland residence around 7 a.m. as part of a classified records investigation. According to officials familiar with the matter, Bolton has not been detained or charged.
Vice President JD Vance addressed the raid during an appearance on NBC News’s Meet the Press, insisting it was unrelated to Bolton’s sharp criticism of President Donald Trump. Vance said the investigation is in its early stages and is focused on classified documents and what he described as a “broad concern” about Bolton. When pressed on whether this amounted to retaliation for Bolton’s past remarks against Trump, he rejected the idea, saying, “No, not at all.”
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X shortly after the raid, writing, “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.” Patel’s statement emphasized that the raid was part of a broader effort to enforce accountability around sensitive information.
Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser for 17 months, later became one of his most outspoken critics, frequently clashing with the president over foreign policy. He previously drew scrutiny for his 2020 memoir, which officials claimed contained classified material, though the Justice Department eventually dropped its lawsuit against him in 2021. Earlier this year, Trump revoked Bolton’s security clearance and personal protection following his return to office.
The raid has sparked speculation about potential consequences. Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley suggested that if investigators uncover evidence of mishandled classified information, Bolton could face severe legal jeopardy. Turley noted that charges involving national defense materials carry potential penalties ranging from ten to 20 years in prison. He added that each classified document carries its own penalty, which could be applied consecutively, potentially compounding Bolton’s legal exposure.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not confirmed whether charges will be filed. The raid is the latest development in an already tense relationship between Bolton and Trump, who have repeatedly clashed in public since Bolton’s departure from the administration.