The FBI has confirmed the discovery of classified documents in the Washington, D.C., office of former national security adviser John Bolton during a raid last month. According to court filings and reports from KOMO, the seized materials included records marked as confidential, some referencing weapons of mass destruction, U.S. diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, and strategic communications initiatives. The inventory list detailed documents labeled “secret” and “confidential,” with one set’s heading redacted.
The case has reignited questions about Bolton’s handling of sensitive national security information, echoing earlier disputes over his 2020 memoir, which contained classified details. Bolton’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued that the materials—many dating back to his tenure in the George W. Bush administration—were previously approved for use and are typical of records maintained by long-serving officials. Lowell stated the documents were reviewed and closed years ago, emphasizing their historical context.
The FBI’s inventory did not specify whether any of the seized items were declassified. The findings come amid ongoing scrutiny of how senior officials manage classified information, with implications for legal accountability and national security protocols. Bolton, a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump, faced prior investigations over his book, though no criminal charges were filed under the Biden administration.
