Trump critic and Iran hawk John Bolton pleads guilty in classified files caseJohn Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser before becoming an outspoken critic of the US president, has pleaded guilty to one count of retaining classified documents.
The 77-year-old veteran diplomat entered the plea in federal district court in Maryland as part of a deal in which prosecutors would recommend he serve no more than five years in prison.
Asked by Judge Theodore Chuang if he was guilty, Bolton replied: “I am, your honour, and I’m sorry for it.”
He will also have to pay a $2.25m fine.
Bolton, one of several Trump foes to be hit with criminal charges since the Republican president returned to the White House, was indicted in October on 18 counts of transmitting and retaining top secret national defence information.
He was accused of sharing classified files by email with two “unauthorized individuals” who have not been identified but are believed to be his wife and daughter.
https://aje.news/u17qv3?update=4704770