John Bolton, former National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland following a months-long investigation into alleged mishandling of classified documents.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, FBI agents executed a court-authorized search at Bolton’s Maryland home on Aug. 22, 2025, as part of a reopened review of materials tied to his tenure in the Trump administration. Federal prosecutors confirmed Thursday that the indictment stems from evidence collected during that search.

President Trump reacted to news of the indictment during an impromptu exchange Thursday:

“I didn’t know that. You’re telling me for the first time! I think he’s a bad person. Too bad. That’s the way it goes, right?”

Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, both of whom previously acknowledged the investigation, have not yet issued formal statements regarding the charges.

Bolton’s indictment marks a significant escalation in the Justice Department’s handling of classified material cases. In 2020, the former national security adviser faced government scrutiny for allegedly publishing sensitive information in his memoir The Room Where It Happened, though the Biden DOJ later closed that inquiry.

The August search signaled renewed interest in whether Bolton retained or disseminated classified information after leaving office. The warrant was reportedly authorized by a Maryland federal judge, and agents seized multiple electronic devices and paper files.

The DX report at the time noted statements from Patel and Bondi emphasizing that “no one is above the law” and that “America’s safety isn’t negotiable.” Those remarks now appear prescient given the grand jury’s latest action.

Bolton, one of Trump’s most prominent critics since leaving the White House, has previously said investigations into him were “politically motivated.” His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The Justice Department has not released the full list of counts or the maximum penalties, though officials confirmed the case involves alleged retention and disclosure of classified national defense information.

This is a developing story. Check back with The Dallas Express for updates as court documents are unsealed.