John Bolton, the former national security adviser to Donald Trump, has pleaded guilty to leaking classified intelligence, sources confirm. The plea, entered this morning in federal court in Washington D.C., caps a years-long investigation into Bolton's memoir and subsequent media appearances that revealed sensitive details about US foreign policy and intelligence operations.
Bolton, 76, admitted to sharing top-secret information with journalists and publishers without authorisation, violating the Espionage Act and other federal statutes. The charges stem from his 2020 book "The Room Where It Happened" and interviews where he disclosed details of Trump's interactions with foreign leaders and internal White House deliberations.
Prosecutors revealed uncovered documents showing Bolton had signed multiple non-disclosure agreements and received repeated warnings about handling classified material. Despite this, he allegedly passed intelligence to at least three reporters, one of whom published a story citing "a former senior administration official" that matched Bolton's known talking points.
Bolton faces up to 15 years in prison, though sources close to the case indicate a plea deal may reduce that to 3-5 years. His legal team declined to comment, but a statement from Bolton's attorney said he "accepts responsibility for his actions" and regrets the "unintended consequences."
The plea sends shockwaves through Washington, where Bolton was once a hawkish voice on foreign policy. Critics argue his leak was part of a pattern, noting he also testified before Congress about Ukraine aid, leading to Trump's first impeachment. Defenders call the prosecution a political vendetta.
Unaccountable power is the thread here. Bolton, a lifelong insider, wielded secrets as currency. Now that currency has been seized. The court will sentence him in 90 days, but for the intelligence community, the damage is already done.
