Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Thursday that Bolton has agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of unlawful retention of national defense information tied to diary-style notes from his time in the Trump White House.
- The tentative deal calls for Bolton to pay roughly $2.0–$2.25 million and sets a recommended sentencing range that spans no prison time up to five years, with a judge to set the final sentence.
- A rearraignment to enter the plea is scheduled for June 26, and the agreement would replace the original 18-count indictment that charged both transmission and retention counts.
- Prosecutors say the case centers on diary entries and personal emails that included classified material and that Bolton shared material with family members; reporting says the investigation was led by career federal prosecutors and began before President Trump returned to office.
- If approved, the plea would limit public courtroom exposure of classified evidence and marks a legal resolution that could affect how the Justice Department handles other cases involving former officials and classified records.