WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to one count involving the unlawful retention of sensitive national security documents and will pay more than $2 million under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, according to reports.
The agreement would resolve a long-running federal investigation into Bolton’s handling of classified and national defense information following his service in the Trump administration. A court hearing on the proposed plea agreement is scheduled for June 26.
Federal prosecutors originally charged Bolton with 18 counts, including eight counts related to the alleged transmission of national defense information and 10 counts involving retention of sensitive materials. According to court filings, investigators alleged Bolton maintained more than 1,000 pages of records detailing his daily activities while serving as national security adviser and shared some information with family members.
The investigation reportedly began during the Biden administration after Iranian hackers breached Bolton’s email accounts and uncovered what authorities described as diary-like entries containing highly sensitive information.
Under the plea agreement, Bolton would plead guilty to a single retention-related charge. The more serious transmission allegations would be dropped as part of the settlement. The charge carries a potential sentence ranging from probation to several years in prison, though sentencing decisions remain at the discretion of the court.
Bolton, a longtime foreign policy hawk and frequent critic of President Donald Trump, served as national security adviser from 2018 to 2019 before leaving the administration. The case attracted significant attention because Trump had repeatedly criticized Bolton and publicly called for legal action against him.
If approved by the court, the plea deal would bring an end to one of the most closely watched classified documents cases involving a former senior Trump administration official.
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