WASHINGTON: Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton, who served under President Donald Trump before becoming one of his most outspoken critics, pleaded guilty in federal court to mishandling classified information, marking a significant development in a long-running criminal case involving sensitive government documents.
Under a plea agreement reached with federal prosecutors, Bolton admitted responsibility for the offence and now faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years. His final punishment will be determined by a federal judge during a sentencing hearing scheduled for October.
Bolton Admits Wrongdoing in Court
During Friday’s court hearing before US District Judge Theodore D. Chuang in Maryland, the 77-year-old former official acknowledged his actions and expressed remorse.
“I’m sorry for it,” Bolton told the court while formally entering his guilty plea.
The plea agreement allows the court to impose a sentence ranging from no prison time to five years of imprisonment, depending on the judge’s assessment of the case and the sentencing guidelines.
Plea Deal Includes $2.25 Million Fine
As part of the agreement with prosecutors, Bolton agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine.
According to court documents, he must pay half of the amount within five days of sentencing, while the remaining balance must be paid within 90 days.
In addition to the financial penalty, Bolton also agreed to:
- Complete up to 100 hours of community service.
- Participate in a formal debriefing with intelligence and Justice Department officials.
- Forfeit his government pension, ending benefits earned during his years of federal service.
The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October, when the court will determine whether additional penalties, including imprisonment, are warranted.
Charges Linked to Classified Information
Federal prosecutors alleged that Bolton improperly shared classified information with two relatives, who were reportedly assisting him while he was preparing his political memoir.
According to the indictment, the information included notes from intelligence briefings, meetings with senior US government officials, and discussions with foreign leaders.
Bolton had initially pleaded not guilty to 18 criminal charges filed against him last year before ultimately reaching the plea agreement.
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Memoir at the Centre of the Investigation
The case stemmed from Bolton’s memoir, “The Room Where It Happened,” which chronicled his time as National Security Adviser during President Trump’s first administration.
The book offered an unusually critical account of Trump’s leadership and described the president as unfit for office, leading to a highly public public dispute between the two former allies.
However, prosecutors acknowledged during Friday’s hearing that no classified information ultimately appeared in the published version of the book, despite concerns raised during the manuscript review process.
Email Hack Also Raised Security Concerns
During the proceedings, prosecutors also noted that Bolton’s personal email account had previously been hacked by an individual believed to have links to Iran.
Although the cyberattack did not form the basis of the criminal charges, officials argued it underscored the potential national security risks associated with the handling of sensitive government information outside secure channels.
Political Context Surrounding the Case
Bolton served as National Security Adviser from 2018 to 2019 during President Trump’s first term before leaving the administration following policy disagreements.
After his departure, he emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent Republican critics, frequently challenging the former president’s foreign and domestic policies.
The prosecution has attracted political attention because Bolton is among several high-profile critics of President Trump who have faced investigations or legal action during Trump’s second administration.
However, prosecutors emphasized that the investigation into Bolton began before Trump returned to office in 2025 and was initiated with the support of career federal prosecutors, rather than as a new political case.
Sentencing Decision Awaits
With Bolton’s guilty plea now formally entered, attention will shift to the October sentencing hearing, where the court will determine whether the former national security adviser receives probation, additional financial penalties, or a prison sentence.
The outcome will conclude one of the highest-profile classified information cases involving a former senior US national security official in recent years and is expected to draw continued political and legal scrutiny.
