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John Bolton, who once served as Donald Trump’s national security advisor, has been formally charged with 18 counts related to the mishandling of classified information. The indictment, issued by a federal grand jury in Maryland, alleges that Bolton shared over 1,000 pages of sensitive diary entries via email and messaging apps with two unnamed individuals, believed to be his wife and daughter. The prosecution claims these documents contained intelligence on potential future attacks and foreign adversaries, posing a threat to national security. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Bolton’s legal team denies any wrongdoing and criticizes the charges as politically motivated and misleading. In response, Trump characterized Bolton as a “bad guy,” indicating a dismissive stance on the charges.
This development follows recent criminal charges against other critics of Trump, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. James was indicted for alleged fraud related to property purchases, which she denies, calling the accusations politically motivated. Comey faces charges of making false statements to Congress, which he denies, asserting that the case is a retaliatory effort.
Throughout the investigation, FBI agents executed raids on Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington office. Bolton, known for his hawkish stance on Iran and his vocal criticism of Trump, has previously received threats from Tehran. Since leaving office, he has been a prominent critic of Trump, often appearing in media to accuse him of being “unfit to be president.” Trump has also publicly targeted other officials and opposition figures, accusing them of opposition and corruption.
The legal actions against Bolton and other critics highlight ongoing political and legal battles, with Trump continuing to confront his perceived enemies in the public and legal arenas. The charges against Bolton mark a significant point in this contentious landscape, emphasizing the tense atmosphere surrounding Trump’s presidency and post-presidential influence.