John Bolton, US President Donald Trump’s former national security advisor, on Thursday reportedly agreed to plead guilty over mishandling classified information under a deal with the Department of Justice that could allow him to avoid prison term.
Details of the felony charge and penalties
According to a CNN report, Bolton intends to plead guilty to one felony count of illegal retention of sensitive national security documents.
The former NSA would also face a fine of $2.25 million. Prison sentence for illegal retention is capped between 0 and 60 months, but the deal would allow Bolton to avoid jail term.
Origins of the 18-count indictment
The development comes after a criminal case was filed against Bolton in October last year with 18 counts of either retaining or disseminating classified information, including notes he made in his diary when he was part of the government which officials alleged that he shared with his family members, AP reported.
DOJ indictments face accusations of bias
Bolton’s case was filed after the Trump administration’s prosecutors secured indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The probe came under criticism that the Justice Department was utilising its law enforcement powers to target President Trump’s perceived arch rivals.
The investigation in Bolton’s case drew public attention in August 2025 when FBI agents served search warrants at the former NSA’s Maryland home and Washington office.
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History of friction over White House memoir
Bolton served in Trump’s first tenure for more than a year before being fired in 2019 and publishing a book that portrayed the US president as deeply misinformed. The Trump administration sought to block the publication of his book “The Room Where It Happened” on the grounds that the book would disclose classified information.
Bolton is scheduled to appear in US District Court in Greenbelt on June 26 and is expected to enter a plea deal with the Justice Department on the same day, NBC news reported.
