FBI Raids Home of Trump Critic John Bolton in Major Weaponization Escalation

The FBI raided the home of John Bolton, President Donald Trump’s former national security advisor who later became a prominent critic of the president.

The search was part of an investigation into whether Bolton illegally shared or possessed classified information, anonymous sources familiar with the probe told multiple media outlets.

It’s a major escalation in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) campaign against public critics of Trump. It will likely elicit additional criticism that Trump’s political appointees are weaponizing the DOJ to go after perceived enemies of the president.

In addition to the probe into Bolton, the DOJ in recent weeks have opened investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Obama administration intelligence officials and other Trump adversaries.

As the raid was underway, FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to publicly comment on the investigation. 

“NO ONE is above the law… [FBI] agents on mission,” Patel said in a post on social media. 

Patel’s vague post was highly unusual, as the bureau and DOJ generally require officials to avoid publicly commenting on ongoing investigations.

Patel in his 2023 book “Government Gangsters” included Bolton on a list of “members of the Executive Branch Deep State.” The list included numerous perceived enemies of Trump and Democratic lawmakers have generally interpreted it as being an enemies list.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino also appeared to remark on the investigation into Bolton, claiming in a post that “Public corruption will not be tolerated.”

Since their falling out in 2019, Bolton has railed against Trump’s policy decisions, while Trump and his allies in turn have accused the former national security advisor of wrongdoing. 

Trump in 2020 publicly threatened Bolton with a “very strong criminal problem” if Bolton published a tell-all book about his time in the White House.

In one of the first acts of his second term, Trump revoked Bolton’s security detail, which had been granted because he has been targeted for assassination by Iran.

Speaking with reporters Friday morning, Trump claimed he knew nothing about the raid beforehand. 

“I could know about it. I could be the one starting it,” Trump said. 

“I’m actually the chief law enforcement officer,” he added, falsely claiming a title that belongs to the attorney general.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for additional details.