John Bolton, ex-Trump adviser, pleads guilty in classified files case
FILE-Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton leaves federal court after pleading not guilty to charges of mishandling classified material on October 17, 2025 in Greenbelt, Maryland. Bolton was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday. (
Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information.
Bolton pleaded guilty to a single count of illegally retaining classified information. His plea agreement with the Justice Department may enable him to avoid time behind bars, but the judge ultimately will decide his punishment.
RELATED: Ex-Trump adviser John Bolton expected to plead guilty in classified information case
According to The Associated Press, the plea agreement recommends capping any prison sentence at five years, but the judge isn’t obligated to that portion of the deal.
Bolton can withdraw his guilty plea if the judge issues a longer prison sentence or a fine over $2.25 million.
John Bolton classified files case
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In October 2025, John Bolton was charged last October with 18 counts of either retaining or distributing classified information.
The Associated Press reported that other Trump adversaries were charged with federal crimes during his second stint in the White House. While some of those cases have folded under legal skepticism and allegations of political retribution, Bolton didn’t mount a defense against his charges before cutting a plea deal.
RELATED: John Bolton indicted for improper handling of classified documents
FBI agents searched Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington, D.C., office in August 2025, but the probe started before Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
Bolton served over a year in President Donald Trump’s first administration before he was pushed out in 2019.
The AP noted that Bolton went on to publish a book called "The Room Where it Happened" that presented an unflattering portrait of Trump’s leadership.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.