Former national security adviser John Bolton entered a guilty plea on Friday regarding one count of illegally retaining sensitive national security information. The proceedings took place in a federal court located in Greenbelt, Maryland, overseen by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang. Previously, Bolton had been facing 18 separate counts involving the unlawful transmission and retention of defense information, stemming from allegations that he shared notes containing “Top Secret” data with his wife and daughter.
By entering a guilty plea to count 12 of the indictment, Bolton has become the only individual successfully prosecuted thus far as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign targeting perceived political adversaries. Accompanied by his attorney, Abbe Lowell, Bolton formally acknowledged his rights and confirmed to Judge Chuang that his decision to plead guilty was made voluntarily. When asked by the judge to confirm the factual basis of his plea, Bolton stated, “I am, Your Honor, I’m sorry for it.”
Judge Chuang has scheduled the official sentencing hearing for October 28. Under the terms of the plea agreement, prosecutors have committed to not requesting a sentence exceeding 60 months, though the judge retains final authority over the duration of the term, which carries a statutory maximum of 10 years. In addition to potential prison time, Bolton has agreed to forfeit approximately $2.2 million, perform 100 hours of community service, and surrender any retirement benefits accrued during his period of federal service.
According to reports, the charge pertains to classified information maintained within personal diaries. U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes addressed the media following the hearing, noting that Bolton was well-versed in the protocols for storing and sharing classified material. Hayes emphasized that the specific count to which Bolton admitted involved the unauthorized retention of intelligence concerning an adversary’s planned attack against U.S. forces abroad. This intelligence reportedly included sensitive sources, methods, and details regarding a covert action program.
Bolton, who served as national security adviser during the first Trump administration, was initially indicted by a grand jury in October 2025. The original indictment accused him of using personal email and messaging accounts to transmit at least eight documents containing classified information to unauthorized family members. While Bolton’s plea addresses a single felony count, it marks a significant development in the broader legal proceedings initiated against him.
