Jake Sanders, Editor
Former Trump national security advisor John Bolton has been formally charged in Maryland with 18 counts under the Espionage Act, marking a striking turn in a career long characterized by aggressive leaks and accusations of treachery. Bolton, known for his hawkish stance and fiery rhetoric, pleaded not guilty and now faces the legal process he’s long insisted others should be subjected to for leaks.
According to the federal indictment, Bolton—infamously nicknamed “Bomb Iran”—spent approximately a year and a half serving as Trump’s top security advisor, during which he allegedly transmitted around a thousand pages of classified intelligence. The troubling detail? Instead of using secure government channels, Bolton reportedly shared sensitive information via email with his wife and daughter—neither of whom possess security clearances—using common platforms like AOL, highlighting the questionable security protocols he once championed.
Crucially, Bolton is not accused of sending the original classified documents. Instead, authorities allege he took detailed notes containing sensitive info and shared them casually—almost like diary entries. One such note reportedly read, “For Diary in the future!!!,” with Bolton reportedly explaining to family members that he was documenting intelligence “for future reference.”
The charges stem from multiple instances where Bolton allegedly shared classified material through text messages and emails. During a 2018 trip coinciding with Trump’s Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bolton reportedly sent a flurry of encrypted notes, including a 24-page report—none of which he claimed to be able to discuss publicly. Family members later questioned the boredom of these updates, to which Bolton allegedly responded with more secretive documents, including a playful note: “Stuff coming to cheer you… up!!!”
The indictment further claims Bolton’s conduct continued months after leaving government, with his lawyer reportedly informing authorities that Bolton’s personal accounts had been hacked—possibly by Iran, the very nation Bolton had often discussed bombing. The hackers allegedly possessed material from Bolton’s diaries, potentially exposing him to unintended leaks and risks.
If proven true, these allegations suggest Bolton unwittingly handed Iran access to sensitive U.S. intelligence—an ironic twist for a figure once famed for his hawkish threats. Such a revelation could raise questions about Bolton’s own adherence to the security standards he once eagerly advocated.
Bolton’s history regarding leaks and national security is storied. He has previously called for maximum sentences for whistleblowers like Julian Assange, and he has publicly advocated aggressive cyber warfare against groups like WikiLeaks. His disdain for whistleblowers such as Edward Snowden is well-known, with Bolton once suggesting Snowden “should swing from a tall oak tree” for exposing NSA surveillance programs.
The charges against Bolton have silent echoes of his past rhetoric, especially his penchant for advocating military strikes. He has repeatedly insisted that Iran, North Korea, and Syria be bombed preemptively to halt nuclear ambitions—positioning himself as an unrepentant hardliner.
Should these charges hold, Bolton could find himself at the center of a legal and political firestorm, potentially demanding the very military action he’s historically promoted—perhaps even implying that his own location could be targeted in a show of “boomer energy.” Either way, the indictment marks a dramatic chapter in the ongoing saga of national security, leaks, and the boundaries of classified information.
