John Bolton, President Donald Trump’s former national security advisor, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of mishandling classified information, multiple news outlets reported.
Bolton, 76, made his initial appearance in federal court in Maryland one day after being indicted by a grand jury, becoming the latest Trump foe to face criminal charges.
Bolton is charged with 18 counts of possession and retention of materials related to national defense.
He faces up to 10 years in prison on each count if convicted, though federal sentencing guidelines would likely recommend a much less severe punishment.
The 26-page indictment alleges Bolton shared classified information with two relatives while he was Trump’s national security advisor from April 2018 through September 2019.
