Former national security adviser John Bolton turned himself in to authorities on Friday after being charged with 18 federal counts tied to the alleged mishandling of classified information.
Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University and a contributor, noted that the evidence against Bolton is seemingly “very damning.” He emphasized that the classified information involved could be extremely dangerous if disclosed.
“This information is at the highest level of classification. If leaked, it could put lives at risk,” Turley stated during an appearance on Fox & Friends.
In terms of the specific allegations, Bolton is accused of sharing classified national defense information and improperly storing sensitive documents that contain insights into upcoming military operations and intelligence methods.
Responding to these serious charges, Bolton remarked, “I’ve dedicated my life to U.S. national security and will always uphold those principles. I tried to pursue that during the first Trump administration, but it became impossible, so I decided to resign.”
Turley also expressed skepticism towards the defense Bolton’s team might present, arguing that claims of common practices or references to old materials wouldn’t hold up in court.
“Jurors generally view these sorts of breaches with considerable severity,” he explained. Furthermore, the argument about merely keeping a diary doesn’t suffice. The content is confidential and must adhere to legal regulations.
Former federal prosecutor Trey Gowdy echoed Turley’s concerns about the gravity of the case.
Gordy emphasized the potential repercussions, stating, “This is one of the biggest secrets our country has. The information could lead to serious harm. The risk was heightened, possibly due to Iran gaining access to Bolton’s home email.” He concluded that the situation is very serious.
