Sources claim the operation is part of a high-profile investigation involving classified documents

The FBI has raided the home and office of John Bolton, the renowned foreign policy hawk and a former national security adviser to US President Donald Trump, multiple outlets reported on Friday. The New York Post, which first broke the news, said the searches are part of a high-profile probe into the handling of classified documents.

Bolton, notorious for his advocacy of regime change as a US foreign policy tool, served under Trump for 18 months during his first term before being fired in September 2019. Trump later called him a “nutjob,” “loser,” and “very dumb person,” and described hiring him as one of his “biggest mistakes."

Trump has said that he knew nothing about the raids and only learned of them from television news.

Reports say FBI agents searched Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, and his Washington, DC, office early on Friday. Footage circulating online showed agents in what appears to be his front yard and outside his office, loading items into vehicles. Bolton was reportedly seen in his office lobby speaking with two individuals wearing FBI vests.

🚨 BREAKING: Federal agents are RIGHT NOW in John Bolton's home "going through things" following an early morning FBI RAID in the DC area over national security concerns.

Yes. We did, indeed, vote for this.

This is Bolton's primary residence.

"This deals with classified… pic.twitter.com/PmIOAxTgtA
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 22, 2025

The investigation reportedly centers on whether Bolton still possesses classified documents from his time in office, particularly those linked to his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened. The US Justice Department (DOJ) under Trump tried to block the book’s publication, claiming it contained classified material. A federal judge eventually allowed its release, and the Biden DOJ dropped both the criminal and civil cases in June 2021.

🚨 BREAKING: FBI agents are now at JOHN BOLTON'S OFFICE in Washington DC after the raid on his home in Bethesda.

"A couple of FBI agents loading some stuff into cars..."

They're gathering ALL of it. Kash and Dan were right. Accountability is here. pic.twitter.com/36wrHCR9Fv
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 22, 2025

Bolton has not been detained and has not yet been charged, according to reports, and neither his spokesperson nor the White House reportedly have commented.

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While the DOJ has not issued an official statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X early on Friday: “America’s safety isn’t negotiable. Justice will be pursued. Always.” She was responding to FBI Director Kash Patel’s cryptic message: “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also reposted Patel’s comment, adding, “Public corruption will not be tolerated.” Patel previously listed Bolton as part of the US “Deep State” in his 2023 book.

Bolton has frequently clashed with Trump over foreign policy. On his first day back in office this year, Trump revoked the security clearances of over 40 ex-intelligence officials, including Bolton, and stripped him of his security detail.

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