FBI agents raided the Bethesda, Maryland home of former national security adviser John Bolton on Friday morning, escalating the ongoing tensions with President Donald Trump. They also searched Bolton’s office in Washington, D.C.
The raid is reportedly part of an investigation into claims that Bolton used a private email server to send classified documents to family members while serving in the White House. According to unnamed Trump administration officials, FBI director Kash Patel was behind the operation.
Some reports suggest that a search warrant related to a controversy over Bolton’s memoirs indicates a broader inquiry into his behavior, though a senior official has claimed this investigation represents a “clean break” from prior inquiries about the book.
Moments after the raid commenced, Patel expressed on social media that “no one has surpassed the law.” Meanwhile, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino emphasized that public corruption will not be tolerated.
As of now, Bolton has neither been arrested nor detained. It’s worth noting that Trump had rescinded Bolton’s security clearance and secret service protection back in January 2025.
When approached about the raid, Trump claimed he was unaware it would happen, stating he learned of it through television news. He did not hold back in expressing his disdain for Bolton, referring to him as a “real low-life creature” and questioning his cleverness and patriotism.
Trump also remarked that Bolton is “very quiet” except when making negative claims about him on television.
Senator J.D. Vance commented on the ongoing investigation, clarifying that it was still in its early stages and denying that Bolton was targeted to undermine Trump.
Some sources familiar with the situation indicated that Bolton has been hypocritical, criticizing Trump for his handling of classified documents while facing his own scrutiny over similar allegations.
Bolton had previously criticized Trump following the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago in 2022, which had prompted various investigations into the handling of classified materials during Trump’s presidency.
Both the FBI and Bolton’s offices have not provided additional comments regarding the current situation.
