by Rebecca Beitsch, Filip Timotija and Brett Samuels – 08/22/25 1:45 PM ET

Federal agents searched the home of former national security adviser John Bolton on Friday, targeting one of President Trump’s most outspoken critics.

The FBI confirmed there was “court-authorized law enforcement activity” going on in the area of Bolton’s Maryland home. The search was reportedly related to Bolton’s handling of classified information.

The move marked an escalation of Trump’s feud with Bolton, and it set off alarms for critics of the president who viewed it as a potential act of retribution against a vocal critic.

Here are five things to know about the search.

Related to classified document suspicions

The probe builds on long-standing accusations by Trump that Bolton may have mishandled classified records, including as he wrote a tell-all book about his time in the first Trump administration.

NN: FBI raids John Bolton’s home

Trump upon taking office for a second time revoked Bolton’s security clearance. It’s a crime even for those with authorized access to remove many sensitive records from their proper setting, something that could run afoul of the Espionage Act.

Agents were seen coming in and out of both Bolton’s Maryland home as well as his D.C. office with boxes Monday.