How John Bolton’s criminal case stacks up to other high-profile classified docs probes - Politico
Original story by: Politico
Last updated: Oct 22, 2025
Ad
- Context: John Bolton's indictment on charges related to classified information raises questions about the fairness of investigations into other former officials, including Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and members of Trump's cabinet. While Trump's administration pursued charges against figures like James Comey and Letitia James, Bolton's case, supported by a detailed indictment, appears more substantial. The handling of these cases is being scrutinized for political motivations and selective prosecution.
Ad
Ad
- Detailed Summary:
- John Bolton's Case: Bolton, a former national security adviser to President Trump, faces charges for allegedly sharing and possessing classified information. His indictment is based on "diary-like entries" detailing sensitive topics and covert actions, spanning his tenure. The case is being compared to previous investigations, particularly Trump's own handling of classified documents and the "Signalgate" incident.
- Donald Trump's Case: Trump accumulated hundreds of classified documents after his presidency. Despite repeated demands and a court-ordered search revealing over 100 classified records, including top-secret documents, Trump was indicted. However, the criminal prosecution was dismissed when a Trump-appointed judge ruled Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment unconstitutional. The Justice Department later dropped the appeal after Trump's election win, citing a policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Similarities to Bolton's case include numerous warnings about possessing classified information, while differences lie in the nature of the documents (Bolton's notes vs. marked documents) and the obstruction charges Trump faced.
- Signalgate: Several Trump administration officials allegedly discussed details of planned military strikes in Yemen via a Signal group chat, which reportedly included a journalist. While the administration claimed no classified information was discussed, experts disputed this. An Inspector General investigation was launched, but the Justice Department did not pursue further action, with then-Attorney General Pam Bondi characterizing it as "sensitive information, not classified." Similarities to Bolton's case include the use of unauthorized platforms for sensitive communications, while differences include the limited scope and duration of the Signal chat compared to Bolton's extensive notes.
- Joe Biden's Case: Classified documents were found at a think tank Biden used and at his Delaware home, dating back to his time as Vice President and Senator. The text notes that the investigation into Biden is ongoing.
- Broader Implications: The Bolton case highlights a historical practice of comparing charging decisions in classified information cases to past prosecutions and instances where officials avoided criminal charges. This comparative analysis is expected to be a key element in potential defense motions to dismiss Bolton's case based on vindictive or selective prosecution. The perceived inconsistencies in how similar situations have been handled by the Justice Department are central to the ongoing debate about fairness and political influence in these investigations.
Ad
Ad