Washington, October 18 (Daily Kiran): Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton, a key official during Donald Trump’s first presidential term and now one of his most vocal critics, was released on personal bond by a Maryland federal court on Friday after being indicted on charges of mishandling classified information.
Bolton, 76, surrendered before the Greenbelt Courthouse in Maryland and pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts related to the alleged transmission and retention of highly classified national defense information.
According to The New York Times, Bolton told the court that he was “completely innocent” of the charges. Judge Timothy Sullivan granted him bail on a personal bond and scheduled the next hearing for November 21.
The indictment accuses Bolton of sharing classified documents via email with two unauthorized individuals during and after his tenure as Trump’s National Security Adviser.
Bolton, who did not speak to the media following his release, issued a statement on Thursday rejecting the allegations, saying he had become “the latest target of the Justice Department’s weaponization.”
His indictment comes shortly after the Justice Department filed criminal charges against two other prominent Trump critics — former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
James, 66, faces charges of bank fraud and false statements related to a 2020 property purchase in Norfolk, Virginia, while Comey, 64, has pleaded not guilty to obstruction of Congress and perjury before congressional committees.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Bolton, calling him a “bad man” and revoking his security clearance shortly after returning to the White House in January. Trump has also urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against his political opponents, including Comey and James.
Bolton angered Trump with his memoir “The Room Where It Happened,” in which he portrayed the former president as unfit for office. Since Trump’s return to power, he has launched multiple legal and political offensives against his former aides and critics.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
