Bolton indicted for sharing secrets with family

Former Trump national security adviser John Bolton faces 18 federal Espionage Act charges in Maryland after allegedly sharing classified information with family members lacking security clearance. The indictment states that Bolton transmitted approximately 1,000 pages of sensitive national security material to his wife and daughter through personal email accounts rather than secure government systems. Prosecutors claim Bolton documented classified intelligence as notes and diary entries for future use, sending relatives detailed information about planned attacks, missile launches, covert operations, and foreign leader profiles.

Bolton’s attorney later informed authorities that hackers, possibly from Iran, may have accessed his personal accounts and obtained material from these diary entries. Bolton has entered a not guilty plea and faces the same legal process he previously advocated against others accused of mishandling classified information. The former adviser previously called for severe punishment against Julian Assange and Edward Snowden for their roles in releasing classified government documents.