The FBI has raided the home of John Bolton, the former national security adviser to Donald Trump who has become a staunch critic of the US president.
The search of Mr Bolton’s house in Maryland on Friday was part of a “national security investigation in search of classified records”, NBC News, Sky’s US partner network, reported.
Mr Bolton served as adviser for 17 months during President Trump’s first term in office.
The US Justice Department is yet to comment but FBI director Kash Patel posted on X on Friday morning, writing: “NO ONE is above the law… @FBI agents on mission.”
Mr Trump’s former adviser is also yet to comment and was not home during the raid, CNN reported. He was seen in his Washington office on Friday in talks with FBI officials, according to the Associated Press.
Pic: Reuters
US federal authorities are yet to release any detail as to why the search has been conducted and what allegations may be levelled against Mr Bolton. Unnamed sources told the New York Times that the probe is into whether Bolton illegally shared or possessed classified information.
On his first day back in the White House, President Trump revoked the security clearances of more than four dozen intelligence officials, including Bolton.
During his time as adviser, Bolton had clashed regularly with the president on policy direction over Iran and North Korea. He had also served as a US ambassador to the United Nations.
Since leaving the post, he has called the Republican president unfit to serve, and most recently criticised Trump’s actions in Ukraine and negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Since returning to office, President Trump has on multiple occasions sought to use his presidential powers against perceived political enemies. Earlier this year, he cancelled security detail for Bolton and two other former Trump officials.
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