Ex-Trump adviser John Bolton to plead guilty to classified documents charge: reports

Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of retaining classified information as part of a deal with the U.S. Justice Department, potentially allowing him to avoid prison. U.S. media outlets cited sources close to the matter.

The agreement aims to resolve a criminal case filed in October, which originally charged Bolton with 18 counts related to retaining or disseminating classified information. These charges included allegations of sharing classified, diary-like notes from his tenure in government with family members while preparing a memoir.

Under the proposed deal, Bolton would also pay a $2.25 million fine. While a prison sentence of up to five years is possible, the agreement suggests he could avoid jail time, though the final decision rests with a judge. A re-arraignment hearing, often indicating a plea agreement, is scheduled for June 26 in federal court in Maryland.

The investigation into Bolton gained public attention last August when the FBI searched his home and office. The case unfolded amid broader concerns about the Justice Department's use of law enforcement powers against perceived adversaries of former President Donald Trump. Bolton, a prominent figure in Republican foreign policy known for his hawkish views, served in Trump's administration before being fired in 2019. He later published a critical book about Trump's presidency.