Former national security adviser John Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to charges that he unlawfully retained sensitive national security information. The plea deal, which is set to be finalized on Friday, marks a rare win for federal prosecutors in their list of prosecutions against President Donald Trump’s political enemies.

Background of the Case

Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser from 2018 to 2019, was accused of sending summaries and notes that included classified information to himself and to his immediate family. The investigation into Bolton’s actions began in 2022, during the Biden administration, after his email account was hacked by Iranians.

The plea deal, which was secured by Maryland US Attorney Kelly Hayes, amounts to one felony count that could result in prison time. Bolton has also agreed to pay a fine of more than $2 million. The maximum sentence for the charge is five years.

Implications of the Plea Deal

The plea deal is seen as a significant development in the case, as it avoids the possibility of a trial that could have dragged sensitive classified information into the public eye. Bolton’s decision to plead guilty was driven by a wish to avoid a trial, according to a person familiar with his thinking.

The case has been viewed as a legitimate prosecution decision, even by critics of the Justice Department. The investigation into Bolton’s actions was led by career prosecutors and investigators, and was not seen as being driven by political pressure.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.