Bolton, former advisor and Trump rival, to plead guilty in classified information case; seeks to avoid prison

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of retaining classified information. This agreement with the Department of Justice could allow him to avoid a prison sentence, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Bolton is among several political opponents of former President Donald Trump who have faced prosecution over the past year. The FBI's investigation into Bolton became public in August when federal agents searched his Maryland home and office. The plea agreement would resolve a criminal case filed in October, which accused Bolton of 18 counts related to retaining or disseminating classified information. These included notes from his time in government that he allegedly shared with family members while preparing a memoir.

Under the terms of the deal, Bolton would also face a $2.25 million fine. While any prison sentence could be up to five years, the agreement aims to prevent him from serving jail time. The ultimate punishment, however, rests with the judge.

Bolton, a long-standing figure in Republican foreign policy circles known for his hawkish views, served in Trump's administration for over a year before being dismissed in 2019. He later published a critical book about the president. The administration unsuccessfully attempted to block the book's publication, citing concerns about classified information. The current plea agreement specifically covers notes shared with family, not information within the book.

A court appearance for the change of plea is scheduled for June 26 in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Department of Justice declined to comment.