John Bolton Pleads Guilty, Faces Up to 5 Years in Prison

John Bolton pleaded guilty to one count of retaining national defense information in Maryland federal court. The former National Security Advisor faces a maximum sentence of five years, with sentencing set for October 28. Bolton has agreed to pay a fine of $2.25 million. He was indicted on eight counts of transmission and ten counts of retention of national defense information, with the remaining counts to be dismissed upon sentencing. The DOJ indicates Bolton's actions involved classified materials critical to national security.