Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJohn Bolton, who served as national security adviser in Trump’s first term, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of illegally retaining classified information.This plea agreement with federal prosecutors could allow Bolton to avoid a prison term, though U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang will ultimately decide his punishment at the sentencing scheduled for October 28 in Greenbelt, Maryland.The deal recommends a maximum prison sentence of five years, but Bolton can withdraw his guilty plea if the judge imposes a longer sentence or a fine exceeding $2.25 million.Bolton was initially charged last October with 18 counts related to retaining or disseminating classified information, specifically focusing on diary-like notes he shared with family members while writing a memoir.The investigation, which included FBI searches of Bolton's home and office last August, began before Trump's return to the White House in January 2025, and Bolton had previously published a book critical of Trump's leadership after his departure from the administration in 2019.In fullTrump foe John Bolton pleads guilty in classified information caseThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Trump’s former national security adviser is pleading guilty.

Bolton, a former national security adviser during President Donald Trump’s first term, was previously indicted on 18 counts that alleged he kept more than 1,000 pages of notes…

Bolton pleaded guilty to one count of retaining national defense information while he was a national security adviser during President Trump's first term, saying: "And I am sorry…

Bolton will plead guilty to one count of retaining classified information based on diary entries detailing his work in Trump's first term at a court hearing on Friday

Bolton to plead guilty charges that he unlawfully retained sensitive national security information in agreement that includes $2.25m fine

Former national security adviser John Bolton is pleading guilty to illegally retaining classified information.

John Bolton, a national security adviser in the first Trump administration, is expected to enter a guilty plea for mishandling classified information.

Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton is reportedly set to plead guilty to mishandling classified information. Sources indicate a plea deal involving a substantial…

The former National Security Advisor entered a guilty plea Friday morning. He reached a plea deal earlier this month.

The guilty plea marks the first successful prosecution to emerge from Trump's campaign of retribution against those he perceives as political enemies.

This is a breaking news story.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

John Bolton, who served as US President Donald Trump's national security adviser during his first term before becoming one of his most outspoken critics, pleaded guilty in federal…

Unlike other cases brought against Trump critics, the Bolton investigation began before Trump returned to office in 2025

John Bolton pleaded guilty to one felony count of mishandling classified information, resolving a yearslong federal investigation.

His plea agreement may enable him to avoid time behind bars, but the judge will ultimately decide his punishment

Sources previously said the former national security adviser would plead guilty under a deal with prosecutors

John Bolton, 77, an outspoken critic of his president, pleaded guilty to one count. He might avoid a prison sentence due to a plea deal.

John Bolton, 77, an outspoken critic of his president, pleaded guilty to one count. He might avoid a prison sentence due to a plea deal.

John Bolton, national security adviser during Donald Trump's first presidential administration, pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a…