GREENBELT, Maryland — Former national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty Friday to one count of illegally retaining classified information from his time in the Trump administration, according to court records and officials.
Bolton, who served as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser in 2018 and 2019 before becoming a vocal critic of the former president, entered the plea in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, before U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang.
The charge relates to Bolton’s handling of sensitive national security information, including notes he compiled for a memoir that was critical of Trump. Prosecutors had previously indicted him on 18 counts, including multiple allegations of unlawful transmission and retention of national defense information.
Under the plea agreement, Bolton agreed to pay a fine of $2.25 million. Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of no more than five years in prison, though the judge will make the final decision. A conviction on the count carries a potential sentence of up to five years.
Bolton told the court he was "sorry for it," according to reports from the proceedings.
The case stemmed from an FBI investigation that included searches of Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington office in August 2025. Authorities seized documents marked as classified. Bolton had initially pleaded not guilty after his October 2025 indictment.
Details of the specific information involved remain focused on diary-like notes and materials Bolton retained or shared in connection with his book project, rather than broader transmission charges included in the original indictment.
Bolton’s attorney and Justice Department officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the hearing. The plea resolves the federal case against him without a trial.
The development comes amid ongoing public discussion of classified documents cases involving former officials. Bolton’s case is distinct from others, centering on personal notes and materials prepared after his government service.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Bolton remains free pending that hearing.
