Former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who was convicted On Thursday he said he is the “latest target” in President Trump’s efforts to weaponize the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Trump’s first term before becoming a sharp critic of the president, was convicted by a federal grand jury Eight cases of disseminating national security information and 10 cases of retaining it were registered on Thursday.
“I have become the latest target of weaponizing the Justice Department to charge them [Trump] “He appears to be his own enemy over allegations that have been previously dismissed or that the facts have been distorted,” Bolton said in a statement.
Prosecutors allege that, beginning in April 2018 and lasting through at least August of this year, Bolton “abused his position” as national security adviser by sharing thousands of pages of information about his daily activities with two relatives without security clearance. The Associated Press informed The two relatives, it was reported Thursday, were Bolton’s wife and daughter.
This information was allegedly sent to the two individuals in “diary-like entries” through non-government messaging apps and email accounts.
The investigation into Bolton began under the Biden administration and accelerated after Trump returned to office in January. In August, agents searched Bolton’s home and office. According to an affidavit later presented in court, the Bureau suspected Bolton of improperly withholding national defense information related to his memoir, “The Room Where It Happened.”
In his statement, Bolton mentioned the Trump administration’s efforts to stop the book from being published. He said the book, published in 2020, was “reviewed and approved by appropriate, experienced career clearance authorities.”
The indictment also alleges that in July 2021, a representative of Bolton alerted the FBI that one of his personal accounts had been hacked by Iran. However, the representative did not say whether Bolton had shared classified information through the account or whether the hackers had gained access to government secrets.
However, Bolton said Thursday that the FBI was “fully made aware” of the hack, and noted that “in the four years of the prior administration, following these reviews, no charges were ever filed.”
two others Trump’s target again and againNew York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and former FBI Director James Comey Too Went indictment in federal court in Virginia in recent weeks.
If convicted, Bolton could face up to 10 years in prison on each of the 18 counts.
“These allegations are not just about [Trump’s] Bolton said, “Focus on me or my diaries, but on his intense efforts to intimidate his opponents, to ensure that they alone determine what is said about his conduct.” He added, “Dissent and dissent are fundamental to America’s constitutional system, and vitally important to our freedoms.”
“I look forward to the fight to defend our lawful conduct and expose abuses of power.”
