Victor Davis Hanson on the FBI Raid of John Bolton's Home

FBI Raid on John Bolton's Home

• FBI agents, under the Department of Justice, recently raided the home of John Bolton, former national security adviser to Donald Trump.
• The raid targeted classified documents allegedly removed by Bolton; he was not arrested or indicted.
• The incident has sparked accusations of a "revenge tour" by the Biden administration against former Trump officials.

Bolton's Past Legal Troubles

• In 2019, after being fired by Trump, Bolton was writing a book based on his notes from his time in office.
• The Trump DOJ filed a motion to stop the book's publication, citing concerns about classified information and national security.
• A federal judge noted Bolton was likely violating national security laws and warned of potential criminal prosecution if he didn't stop.
• The Biden administration later dropped the investigation into Bolton's book.

Ironic Parallels and Potential Motivations

• Bolton was highly critical of Trump's Mar-a-Lago raid, suggesting Trump had no respect for classification.
• There is irony in Bolton now facing a similar raid and potentially using different defenses than he offered Trump.
• The raid's justification is questioned: was it vengeful retribution or based on new evidence?

New Allegations and Legal Jeopardy

• Rumors suggest the FBI's interest may stem from allegations that Bolton transferred classified information to family members via email, not just for his book.
• If true, this action could fall under the Espionage Act, carrying penalties of 10-20 years imprisonment.
• The need for two federal judges to approve the raid request suggests a significant basis for the FBI's actions.
• The timing and potential political motivations behind the Biden administration's decision to re-investigate a previously dropped case are scrutinized.