Bolton Surrenders to Answer Charges of Disseminating Classified Materials
John Bolton, who worked in the first Trump administration, made his way at a federal court to turn himself in to authorities facing accusations of improperly handling sensitive documents.
The eighteen counts stem from allegations that he distributed or kept confidential documents, comprising some characterised as top secret.
Bolton, who parted with the White House acrimoniously, has become one of the Trump's most vocal public critics.
The indictment makes Bolton, seventy-six, the latest of the US leader's rivals to face charges in the past few days.
Court Appearance
On Friday, Bolton did not respond to shouted questions as he entered the federal building in Greenbelt, Maryland to surrender to authorities.
He is expected to make an first court hearing before a judge and may have to stop at the US Marshals office for "possible" fingerprinting and booking photo.
Prosecutors' Allegations
Prosecutors have charged Bolton of using private communication tools and email to illegally transmit sensitive information.
"These documents disclosed intelligence about upcoming threats, foreign adversaries, and diplomatic ties," prosecutors wrote.
Responding to the allegations, Bolton said he would defend his "legal actions".
He added he had "become the latest target in weaponizing the federal prosecutors to accuse those he [Trump] considers to be his opponents with charges that were rejected earlier or distort the truth."
Details of the Indictment
The formal charges issued this recently alleged Bolton of sharing "journal-style notes" with two unnamed individuals, and using his personal email account to send messages with confidential information.
The document also claims that between 2019 and 2021, Bolton was allegedly the target of a cyber intrusion from a "cyber actor believed to be associated with the Iran" that gained access his system, exposing the sensitive documents.
Background
Bolton has been scrutinised for his management of classified information since 2020, when he sought to release a memoir about his tenure in the Trump's initial presidency.
The federal prosecutors attempted to block the book's release, alleging it could include sensitive material.
A US magistrate ruled against the administration, but rebuked Bolton in his decision, writing he had "gambled with the country's safety of the United States".
An probe into Bolton continued into the current presidency.
Understanding Indictments
An indictment in the US justice system is a official allegation delivered by a grand jury - a group of members of the public established by a government lawyer to review proof to determine if a legal proceeding should move forward.
