Ex-Trump advisor Bolton pleads guilty in classified documents case
John Bolton, former US National Security Advisor, pleaded guilty to charges of mishandling secret documents. He faces up to five years and a $2.25 million fine under a plea agreement.
Ex-Trump advisor Bolton pleads guilty in classified documents case
John Bolton, who once held the post of National Security Advisor under Donald Trump, admitted guilt on Thursday in a federal courtroom located in Maryland. The 77-year-old altered his plea during proceedings and expressed remorse, as reported by the Washington Post from inside the court.
This guilty plea is part of a settlement reached with prosecutors. Should the agreement receive judicial approval, the former diplomat could be sentenced to as many as five years of incarceration. Additionally, he has consented to a monetary penalty totaling $2.25 million.
When first indicted, each individual charge against him carried a maximum possible punishment of ten years of imprisonment. The Department of Justice had originally filed eighteen separate counts.
The accusations center on Bolton's conduct while serving in the White House. Authorities contend he shared sensitive information with unauthorized parties and kept top-secret files at his home without legal authority to do so.
Throughout his career, Bolton has occupied senior positions under various Republican presidents. He represented the United States at the United Nations during George W. Bush's administration. Later, he accepted the role of Trump's third National Security Advisor. Their professional relationship ended in 2019 when the president removed him from office due to conflicting views on international affairs.
In mid-2020, Bolton released a book chronicling his time in the administration. The memoir contained harsh assessments of Trump's leadership capabilities, with the author describing the president as unsuited for the position.
Following Trump's return to the presidency, the Justice Department—which functions as the nation's principal law enforcement body—pursued legal action against several vocal opponents of the administration. Bolton stands out as the initial figure among these individuals to enter a guilty plea.
Trump had himself encountered legal trouble regarding classified materials discovered at his private property in Florida after completing his first term. That matter was ultimately terminated when a federal judge—nominated by Trump himself—ordered the case closed.
Source: Der Spiegel
Source: Google News LU DE