• Federal prosecutors are preparing to present evidence to a grand jury regarding John Bolton's handling of classified documents.
  • The investigation accelerated after FBI agents searched Bolton's home and office in August 2025.
  • The potential indictment marks an escalation in the legal scrutiny of former Trump administration officials.

Federal prosecutors have taken a significant step toward potentially charging former National Security Adviser John Bolton, with the Justice Department preparing to ask a grand jury to indict him, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move follows an FBI search of Bolton's home and office in August 2025 as part of an investigation into whether he mishandled classified documents after leaving government service. The searches, conducted by agents with the FBI's Washington Field Office, yielded materials that prosecutors believe warrant presentation to a grand jury.

Bolton, who served as national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding North Korea and Iran. His relationship with Trump soured during his tenure, culminating in his departure amid policy disagreements.

"The Justice Department appears to be moving methodically through the evidence gathered during the searches," said one person briefed on the investigation, who asked not to be identified discussing ongoing legal proceedings. "This isn't a rushed process, but rather a deliberate review of classified material handling."

The investigation focuses on whether Bolton retained classified documents without proper authorization after leaving his White House position. Prosecutors have been examining the types of documents involved and whether their retention violated federal laws governing the protection of national security information.

Bolton's attorney, Charles Cooper, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the past, Cooper has stated that Bolton has always acted in accordance with the law and cooperated with proper authorities.

The potential indictment comes amid broader Justice Department scrutiny of how current and former government officials handle classified materials. The department has recently intensified its focus on document security following several high-profile cases involving sensitive government information.

Legal experts note that bringing charges against a former national security adviser would be unprecedented in modern times and could test the boundaries of how the government prosecutes cases involving classified information.

Bolton published a memoir, "The Room Where It Happened," in 2020 that offered a critical assessment of Trump's presidency and foreign policy decisions. The book's publication sparked legal battles with the Trump administration, which sought to block its release over classification concerns.

Prosecutors are expected to present their evidence to the grand jury in the coming weeks, though the timing could shift as the investigation continues. The grand jury will ultimately decide whether there is sufficient evidence to return an indictment.