FBI raids home of former Trump aide John Bolton

The FBI has carried out a search of John Bolton’s residence as part of an ongoing classified documents investigation, according to multiple reports. Federal agents reportedly arrived at the former national security adviser’s suburban Washington, D.C., home early Friday morning at around 7 a.m., the Associated Press said.

Bolton, a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump, told CNN that he was not aware of the activity taking place at his property at the time.

FBI Confirms Court-Authorized Operation

Hints of the search surfaced earlier in the day when FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X: “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.” The bureau later issued a brief statement, saying agents were “conducting court-authorized activity in the area” and stressed there was “no threat to public safety.” No further details were released.

The operation is believed to form part of a broader federal investigation into the handling of classified materials, though authorities have not publicly confirmed the specific documents or circumstances tied to Bolton.

Who is John Bolton?

Bolton served as Donald Trump’s third national security adviser, holding the post for 17 months before clashing with the president over policies related to Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea. His tenure ended in acrimony, and he later published a memoir sharply critical of Trump’s foreign policy approach.

The Trump administration attempted unsuccessfully to block the release of the book, arguing that it contained classified information. Since then, Bolton has remained one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics.

Tensions escalated further when Trump returned to office earlier this year. On his first day back, the president revoked the security clearances of more than 40 former intelligence officials, including Bolton, and later withdrew his government-provided security detail.

What Comes Next

While federal investigators have not disclosed whether charges are being considered, the search underscores the Justice Department’s determination to enforce strict handling of sensitive government records. For Bolton, the raid adds a new chapter to his already fraught relationship with Trump and raises questions about how far-reaching the classified documents probe may become.