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Trump foe John Bolton pleads guilty in classified docs case
🇴🇲 Oman /Crime & Justice

Trump foe John Bolton pleads guilty in classified docs case

From Times of Oman · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • John Bolton, former national security adviser under Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to illegally retaining classified information.
  • Bolton reached a plea deal with prosecutors, potentially avoiding significant prison time but facing a fine and community service.
  • The case stems from allegations that Bolton shared classified information, possibly for his tell-all book, leading to criticism from the U.S. attorney for risking national security.

John Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Donald Trump's first term, pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to one charge of illegally keeping classified information. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang is overseeing the case.

"I'm sorry for it," Bolton told Judge Chuang in Greenbelt, Maryland, as he entered his guilty plea. Bolton's attorney, Abbe Lowell, stated that Bolton "did what real leaders do" by accepting responsibility.

I'm sorry for it.

— John BoltonBolton's statement upon pleading guilty to illegally retaining classified information.

The 77-year-old Bolton struck a plea agreement with prosecutors that could result in no prison time or a shorter sentence than initially anticipated. He was originally indicted on 18 charges, with prosecutors seeking a potential 10-year prison sentence. Under the plea deal, Bolton could face up to five years in prison, or potentially none, depending on the judge's decision at his sentencing on October 28. He is also required to pay a $2.25 million fine, forfeit his government pension, perform up to 100 hours of community service, and debrief intelligence community and Department of Justice officials.

Bolton is accused of sharing classified information with two "unauthorized individuals," reportedly his wife and daughter. This information is believed to have been used in his book, "The Room Where It Happened," which detailed his time in the Trump administration. Kelly O. Hayes, the U.S. attorney for the district of Maryland, asserted that Bolton "put our national security at grave risk."

did what real leaders do

— Abbe LowellBolton's attorney commenting on his client's decision to plead guilty.

Bolton served as Trump's national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019. His resignation reportedly stemmed from disagreements with Trump on issues such as negotiations with the Afghan Taliban and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Bolton also previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the UN under President George W. Bush and was a strong proponent of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

After leaving the Trump administration, Bolton became a vocal critic of Trump's leadership style. Trump, in turn, has publicly disparaged Bolton, calling him a "washed up creepster" and a "sleazebag."

put our national security at grave risk.

— Kelly O. HayesThe U.S. attorney for the district of Maryland on the implications of Bolton's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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