John Bolton expected to plead guilty over mishandling classified documents

John Bolton, former national security adviser under President Donald Trump, is reportedly poised to plead guilty to charges of mishandling classified documents. The development, cited by CNN based on three sources familiar with the matter, indicates Bolton has agreed to a plea deal that includes paying a fine of over $2 million.

Bolton, who has become a prominent critic of Trump since leaving the White House, faces one count of illegal retention of sensitive national security documents. Court records indicate he is scheduled to appear in court on June 26 to enter a new plea, though the records did not specify his intended plea.

Previously, Bolton had pleaded not guilty when initially arraigned on October 17, 2025, on charges related to mishandling classified information. The indictment alleged that Bolton shared sensitive information with two relatives, potentially for use in a book he was writing. The charges, filed in federal court in Maryland, included eight counts of transmission of national defense information and 10 counts of retention of national defense information, all in violation of the Espionage Act.