FBI Searches Home of Former Trump Adviser John Bolton in Classified Documents Probe

BETHESDA, Md., August 22, 2025 - On Friday, federal agents searched John Bolton’s home in Maryland. He was the national security adviser for President Donald Trump. This search is part of an investigation into how he managed classified materials.

FBI officials started the search early this morning, said a source who wished to remain anonymous. The Justice Department and the FBI haven’t commented on the operation. Also, Bolton’s representatives did not return messages right away.

Bolton served from April 2018 to September 2019. He faced criticism during the Trump administration for including sensitive information in his 2020 memoir, *The Room Where It Happened*. The book led to a Justice Department review due to claims of classified content. However, no charges were filed.

Former Trump official Kash Patel, now FBI Director, has vowed to fight corruption in federal agencies. Patel hinted at the operation on X. He said, “ONE is the law @F agents on mission,” just after the raid began.

Bolton, a longtime foreign-policy hawk and critic of his former boss, may face legal trouble if agents find improperly kept documents. It’s not clear what materials the investigators were after. We also don’t know if they found any classified records during the search.

Officials highlight that the investigation began with the last administration and is still ongoing in 2025. This is because of concerns about the unauthorized holding of government secrets. The outcome of Friday’s search could shape future proceedings against the former national security adviser.