Federal agents seized iPhones, USB drives, and documents during a raid on the home of former national security adviser John Bolton last month, according to newly released court documents. The inventory includes one red iPhone, one black iPhone, a white binder labeled 'Statements and Reflections to Allied Strikes…', typed documents in folders marked 'Trump I-IV', four boxes of printed daily activities, a Seagate hard drive, a Dell Precision Tower computer, two Sandisk USB drives, a Dell XPS laptop, and a Dell Inspiron computer.
The search warrant, filed in court, cites 'evidence of a crime', 'contraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed', and 'property designed for use, intended for use, or used in committing a crime'. The government expressed concern that Bolton, if aware of the investigation, might flee or destroy evidence.
Federal agents were authorized to seize all physical documents and records with or without classification markings that appear to be classified and relate to Bolton's role as assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. They were also instructed to seize any devices used for transmitting, creating, or storing classified material, as well as encryption keys or devices needed to access computer equipment.
The raid, conducted at Bolton's home in Bethesda, Maryland, is part of a federal investigation into the handling of classified documents, according to a source familiar with the matter. It has been viewed as a sign of the Trump administration's increasing use of the FBI against its critics.
On the day of the raid, FBI director Kash Patel posted on X: 'NO ONE is above the law… FBI agents on mission.' Deputy director Dan Bongino added: 'Public corruption will not be tolerated.' Bolton served as Trump's third national security advisor before being fired in 2019, and his 2020 memoir detailed clashes with Trump over foreign policy.
