John Bolton, the former national security adviser, is reported to have had his private email account hacked by a foreign entity at some point. This incident occurred alongside a raid on his Maryland home last month, which involved federal agents. The hacking case appears to have led former Trump administration officials to believe that secret records were at risk.
Previously, Bolton allegedly utilized his personal email to send “very sensitive” documents to family members during his tenure at the White House.
The FBI is currently looking into allegations related to the mishandling of classified information by Bolton. There are sections in an affidavit describing the hacking, though it remains unclear which foreign nations were implicated.
Importantly, an investigation into the use of Bolton’s private email accounts reemerged under FBI Director Kash Patel. This probe, initially opened in 2020, paused during the Biden administration, but was resumed recently. Bolton, now 76, has not faced any charges or arrests.
The emails Bolton shared with his family were reportedly intercepted by U.S. intelligence from foreign government spy agencies, according to reports from various news outlets. It seems that these emails may suggest that he mishandled classified information.
The affidavit regarding the investigation contains significant redactions. FBI agents executed a search at both Bolton’s Maryland residence and his office in Washington, D.C. last month. A senior U.S. official highlighted that Bolton was a national security adviser but allegedly mishandled classified materials by involving his family.
Additionally, the submitted manuscript for Bolton’s 2020 book reportedly included a notable amount of classified information, some of which was top-secret. National Security Council officials informed his attorneys that extensive details within the manuscript likely derived from notes taken during his White House service.
The letter from NSC officials indicated that any notes or records belonging to Bolton during his government tenure fall under the Presidential Records Act, which may have implications for legal proceedings.
Serving as Trump’s national security adviser for 17 months, Bolton often found himself at odds with the presidents of Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea before being dismissed. His book criticized Trump’s foreign policy approach.
Abbe Lowell, a lawyer known for representing Hunter Biden, is now representing Bolton. However, he has not commented on the situation.
