FBI raids home of Trump ex-adviser John Bolton
John Bolton (photo: Getty Images)
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a search at the home and office of John Bolton, former national security adviser to Donald Trump, The New York Times, Reuters and CNN reported.
According to the NYT, investigators are checking whether Bolton could have illegally transmitted or stored classified information.
The FBI officially confirmed the conduct of "court-authorized activity" near his residence in the suburbs of Washington. At the same time, Bolton himself stated that he did not know about the search and was finding out the details.
According to sources, the investigation concerns possible data leaks to the media and third parties over the past four years, which could likely have harmed the president. Similar accusations were previously made after the release of Bolton's book The Room Where It Happened, but criminal cases never reached trial.
As CNN reports, FBI agents were near Bolton's home in the suburbs of Washington. According to the source, a search of his office was also planned, but when exactly it would take place was unknown.
The search took place against the backdrop of new public statements by Bolton, who sharply criticized Trump after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Bolton then said that it was Putin who emerged as the winner from the summit.
Trump's reaction
US President Donald Trump said that he knew nothing about the FBI search at the home of his former national security adviser John Bolton.
"I know nothing about it. I just saw it this morning, they did a raid," Trump told reporters.
Bolton criticized Trump over his statements about intending to end the war in Ukraine. He said that Trump’s possible closeness to the Kremlin would lead to concessions in favor of Russia.
