Washington, D.C. — John Bolton, the former national security adviser under Donald Trump and now a vocal critic of the former president, turned himself in to federal authorities on Friday. He faces serious allegations regarding the mishandling of classified information and was set to appear in court later that day.

The Justice Department filed a federal indictment against Bolton on Thursday in Maryland, charging him with transmitting and retaining classified materials in violation of the Espionage Act. This 18-count indictment alleges that Bolton sent diary entries to two unidentified individuals, which included sensitive information from his tenure as national security adviser.

This indictment marks a notable moment in recent efforts by the Justice Department to hold prominent critics of Trump accountable. In the past few weeks alone, the department has brought criminal charges against multiple high-profile figures in Trump’s orbit, reflecting heightened scrutiny under the Biden administration.

Bolton’s time in the Trump administration was marked by tension that ultimately led to his departure. The investigation into his actions is believed to have accelerated following revelations that concerned U.S. intelligence agencies.

The indictment outlines that Bolton maintained meticulous notes about his meetings and activities, often documenting them on yellow notepads before later transcribing them into digital formats. Prosecutors assert these notes were shared through personal email accounts and messaging services, raising concerns given they contained classified material not meant for public disclosure.

Trump, when questioned about the indictment, reportedly stated he was unaware of the specifics but described Bolton as a “bad guy.” This reaction highlights the ongoing factional divides within the Republican Party, as Trump continues to influence GOP dynamics.

Bolton’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, defended his client, asserting the charges arose from personal diaries that had been unclassified and shared only with Bolton’s family—an act that should not be computed as criminal behavior. “Like many public officials, Ambassador Bolton kept diaries. That is not a crime,” Lowell emphasized.

The indictment alleges that Bolton shared over a thousand pages of notes with individuals without the necessary security clearances, further aggravating the charges against him. Notably, Bolton exited the messaging group with these individuals shortly after leaving his position as national security adviser.

Bolton has been critical of Trump’s leadership in various forums, including a memoir he released last year where he described the former president as unfit for office. The current investigation into his conduct began in 2022, marking a significant escalation in legal scrutiny and indicating broader implications for discourse surrounding national security in political contexts.

As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how this case will impact both Bolton and the ongoing narrative surrounding former Trump administration officials amid heightened political tensions.