FBI Search at Ex-National Security Adviser Bolton’s Residence
John Bolton, previously serving as the national security adviser under the previous President, Donald Trump, recently witnessed a search of his residence executed by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This action is perceived as part of an investigation driven by the direction of FBI Director Kash Patel. The search was conducted at Mr. Bolton’s dwelling, situated in the suburban area of Bethesda, Maryland. It initiated precisely at 7 o’clock in the morning, local time.
The FBI, through a representative, acknowledged the warrant-approved task taking place in the vicinity of Bolton’s abode. In recent times, Bolton has been casting an increasingly critical eye toward the ex-President, characterising Trump as ill-equipped for the role he once held. Furthermore, he raised several concerns and shared adverse experiences during his tenure in the administration through his deeply critical memoir.
Upon assuming office in January, President Trump moved towards deploying presidential authorities to confront those he believed were his adversaries. Notably, during Trump’s first term, the DOJ launched a lawsuit and initiated a criminal probe focused on Bolton. The basis for these was the allegation that Bolton’s book, titled ‘The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir,’ was in possession of classified data.
In a significant development, a judicial authority declined the administration’s appeal to prevent the book from hitting the shelves in 2020. Moreover, the lawsuit and criminal inquiry targeting Bolton were both terminated in 2021, a measure enacted by the succeeding Biden administration.
In the past, Donald Trump had denied Bolton the protective coverage of the Secret Service, an assignment granted after the Department of Justice identified a potential threat to Bolton’s life emanating from Iran. Regardless of this, Bolton sustained his critique of Trump.
Post his departure from the office, Trump returned to the office and was greeted once again by Bolton’s criticism. A recent example of this was observed at Trump’s conference with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin which took place in Alaska. Bolton expressed his views on the event and declared Putin as the clear winner of the summit.
While Bolton admitted that Trump hadn’t necessarily lost the meeting, he did point out that Trump appeared exceptionally fatigued. Bolton also expressed his disappointment in the lack of considerable development towards a resolution for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, despite the meeting.
Unsurprisingly, Bolton’s critical eye did not spare Kash Patel, the FBI Director nominated by Trump. Bolton’s critique, often biting, has become a distinguishing feature of his post-administration commentary, and the investigation seems unlikely to change that.