In the days preceding the raids, Trump blamed Bolton on numerous occasions.
There is no proof that Trump gave the order for the FBI raid Bolton at his house and workplace. However, there is strong evidence that John Bolton’s criticisms infuriated Trump, fueling speculation of a Trump Bolton conflict.
President Donald Trump had publicly chastised Bolton for opposing his strategy toward Russia, just days before the Trump Bolton raid took place. His former national security adviser’s office and residence were searched by the FBI on Friday.
The president stated on Friday that there is no proof that the inquiry into John Bolton raid was started in reaction to Bolton’s previous criticisms and that he was unaware of the raids until they happened that morning. Bolton, one of Trump’s first-term advisers turned foe and outspoken critic, has been a regular presence on cable news shows since Trump returned to office often criticizing the president’s approach to foreign policy. The Trump withdrew Bolton’s security clearances and disbanded his government security detail earlier this year. Bolton was granted protection due to Iranian threats against him, which were connected to Trump’s January 2020 decision to assassinate Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
Trump had not attacked Bolton on social media for seven months before August 13 that is, since before Trump’s inauguration in January. That changed a little more than a week ago when Trump posted on Truth Social to vent his aggravation after becoming enraged by a quote from Bolton.
Trump and the Russian president are scheduled to meet in Alaska on August 12, and Bolton told The Atlantic that “Putin has already won.” “He is the leader of a rogue state,” he declared., and he will be photographed with the US president on American soil.” Around the same time, Bolton repeated the same message on social media and in television appearances.
“Very unfair media is at work on my meeting with Putin,” Trump commented the morning after the Atlantic piece was released. Repeatedly quoting fired losers and extremely stupid people like John Bolton, who simply stated that ‘Putin has already won,’ despite the meeting taking place in the United States. What is the purpose of that? On EVERYTHING, we are winning.” A top White House official attacked the article that same day, calling it baseless reporting.
Trump blamed Bolton once more four days later in a Sunday night Truth Social post, accusing him of being one of the “stupid people” who were making it “much harder” for Trump to end the conflict by rejecting his strategy with Putin.
As part of an investigation into whether Bolton unlawfully acquired or disseminated sensitive information, federal agents raided his Bethesda, Maryland, home and his downtown D.C. office on Friday. According to law enforcement sources with knowledge of the situation, the Trump Bolton raid forms part of an ongoing probe.
Speaking about the Bolton inquiry on condition of anonymity, a White House official claimed that the president’s public remarks had nothing to do with the FBI’s decision to carry out Nine days later, search warrants were issued in a case against him. The raids were “about following the law,” according to the officer. Vice President JD Vance stated that Bolton was “not at all” the subject of a retaliatory act, but he did not respond to a question on whether the White House had prior notice.
Still, Trump’s history of pledging to pursue his political rivals makes many question if this was politically motivated. The president had pointed to lawsuits filed against him beyond 2021 and vowed revenge upon regaining the presidency. Investigations into former officials such as Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor have already been initiated.
Vance, in an interview hours after the raid began, admitted classified documents were “certainly part of an ongoing investigation into John Bolton,” showing the probe is still in its early stages. He added, “We won’t prosecute if there isn’t a crime here. Ambassador Bolton will undoubtedly get his day in court if there is a crime here.”
Bolton, who served as Trump’s third national security adviser, was already known for his book The Room Where It Happened, which described Trump as an “erratic” and “uninformed” leader. The administration tried to block its publication in 2020, claiming it contained classified material.
Bolton was frequently featured on television networks and in major outlets, where he harshly criticized Trump’s approach to Russia. He argued that Trump was vulnerable to manipulation by Putin due to his obsession with personal relationships.
According to people close to Trump, he closely monitors Bolton’s media appearances, fueling more Trump Bolton tensions. Critics argue this backdrop strengthens the case that the Trump raid news was tied to retaliation.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice faces mounting pressure from Trump’s base to pursue perceived “deep-state corruption.” FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi have both been under pressure to act more aggressively.
This week, Andrew Bailey, former Missouri attorney general, was appointed as deputy director of the FBI. His selection has further fueled political debates surrounding the Justice Department.
With the Trump investigation news intensifying, the Trump FBI concerns over potential retaliation remain front and center. For now, officials maintain the Bolton Trump politics dispute did not influence the FBI raid but many in Washington remain unconvinced.