Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has officially entered a plea of not guilty to federal charges concerning the alleged mishandling of classified information. The arraignment took place on Friday at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland, where Bolton surrendered to authorities before entering his plea.
These charges against Bolton come amidst a series of legal actions targeting individuals critical of the current administration. The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, details accusations of unlawfully retaining and transmitting national defense information. The investigation leading to these charges began earlier this year, with FBI agents raiding Bolton’s Maryland home and seizing electronic devices and documents.
Bolton, a seasoned diplomat and former high-ranking official under several Republican administrations, faces a total of 18 counts. These include eight counts of transmitting national defense information and ten counts of unlawfully retaining such materials. The indictment alleges that Bolton shared over a thousand pages of classified material, including “Top Secret/SCI” documents, with individuals not authorized to receive them, reportedly close family members. He is also accused of retaining notes and records related to national defense, including typed and electronically shared diary entries.
Adding a complex layer to the case, the indictment also suggests Bolton may have been targeted by a hacker associated with the Iranian government, potentially gaining access to some of the sensitive materials. Each count against Bolton carries a maximum prison sentence of ten years, raising the possibility of a life sentence if convicted on all charges.
Following his appearance and plea, Bolton was released and is expected back in court on November 21 for his next hearing. The legal proceedings are being closely watched, with some suggesting potential political motivations behind the charges.