In a bombshell legal declaration, former Trump administration insider John Bolton has levied serious accusations against the ex-President, claiming he actively sought foreign assistance to influence the 2020 US election.
The allegations are contained in a sworn statement submitted as part of an ongoing lawsuit in Maryland. Bolton states that Donald Trump's public appeals for foreign nations to investigate his political opponents were not mere rhetoric but represented a deliberate attempt to solicit something of value—a direct violation of US campaign finance laws.
The Core Allegation
Bolton's testimony centres on the claim that Mr. Trump's actions, particularly his public calls for China and Ukraine to investigate the Biden family, constituted an implicit solicitation of campaign aid. Under US law, soliciting a 'thing of value' from a foreign national for a campaign is illegal.
This declaration significantly bolsters the lawsuit's argument that the former President's actions were not protected by free speech but were potentially criminal in nature.
Context of the Maryland Lawsuit
The lawsuit itself was filed by a non-profit organisation against the FBI. The group is seeking to force the agency to release documents related to its investigation into Mr. Trump's dealings with Ukraine—the scandal that led to his first impeachment.
Bolton’s statement was offered to demonstrate a credible basis for believing a crime may have been committed, which is a necessary hurdle for the lawsuit to proceed and for the documents to be released under public records law.
Implications for Trump
These allegations from a high-level former official add considerable weight to longstanding claims that Mr. Trump engaged in misconduct. While the immediate context is a document lawsuit, the sworn statement could have wider ramifications, potentially fuelling other legal challenges facing the former President.
Bolton, who served as National Security Advisor for 17 months, has become a vocal critic of Mr. Trump since leaving the administration, though his latest intervention under oath marks a significant escalation.
