Washington, United States. Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to mishandling classified information, according to court proceedings that could result in a prison sentence of up to five years. Bolton apologized during the hearing before U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang.
Plea agreement and penalties
Bolton told the judge, “I’m sorry for it,” during the hearing. Reuters had previously reported that Bolton would plead guilty under an agreement with prosecutors that set a sentencing range from no prison time to as many as five years in prison, with the final sentence to be decided by the judge.
As part of the agreement, Bolton agreed to pay a $2.25 million fine. He must pay half within five days of sentencing and the full amount within 90 days of sentencing.
Bolton also agreed to complete up to 100 hours of community service and to meet with intelligence and Justice Department officials for a debriefing. He will also forfeit his government pension.
Case details
Bolton, 77, was accused of sharing sensitive information with two relatives for possible use in a memoir he was writing, including notes on intelligence briefings and meetings with senior government officials and foreign leaders. He had pleaded not guilty last year to 18 criminal charges.
Prosecutors said on Friday that no classified information was published in Bolton’s book, The Room Where It Happened, which detailed his tenure as Trump’s national security adviser during the president’s first term.
Background and investigation
In the book, Bolton described Trump as unfit for office, prompting a public feud between the two men.
Authorities said Bolton’s personal email was hacked by someone believed to be linked to Iran, a point prosecutors reiterated on Friday.
Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Trump’s first term, is one of several notable political opponents who have faced prosecution from Trump’s Justice Department. The Bolton investigation, however, began before Trump returned to office in 2025 and had the backing of career federal prosecutors.
