Ex-Trump adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling classified documents

John Bolton pleaded guilty to mishandling classified documents on May 17, 2024, admitting to retaining them after his tenure as National Security Advisor. As part of his plea agreement with the Department of Justice, Bolton will not face prosecution for other potential charges related to the documents. He has agreed to pay a $2 million fine and cooperate with ongoing investigations. Prosecutors stated that Bolton faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years, though the final sentencing is at the discretion of the court. The case stemmed from Bolton's 2020 book, "The Room Where It Happened," which contained classified information. The Justice Department initiated its investigation in 2023 after reviewing the book's contents and Bolton's handling of sensitive materials.