John Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Donald Trump's first administration, pleaded guilty to illegally retaining classified information related to notes he compiled for a book. He pleaded guilty to one count of an 18-count indictment.
Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to a single count of retaining classified information under a deal with the Justice Department. The agreement resolves a criminal case filed in October that charged Bolton with 18 counts related to diary-like notes containing classified information.
Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to a single count of retaining classified information and will pay a $2.25 million fine, according to multiple sources. Bolton, a prominent Trump critic, was indicted in 2025 for allegedly mishandling classified materials.
