John Bolton pleaded guilty to willfully retaining national defense information, allegedly using personal accounts to share classified material with family members not authorized to access it.

Trump reacted with a call for harsh handling of the case in a post on Truth Social.

Bolton’s lawyer framed him as a real leader who took responsibility, contrasting Bolton’s diary-keeping with Trump allegedly concealing secrets for personal gain.

Bolton awaits sentencing, facing up to 60 months in prison, with a $2.25 million fine already imposed and a ban on federal retirement pay for him and his family.

The report links to related coverage of Bolton’s guilty plea and places it within the broader context of ongoing legal proceedings and public reaction.

Trump criticized Bolton on Truth Social, labeling him a terrible person and a lunatic, and alleging Bolton started trouble and caused death and destruction.