FBI Agents Seized Phones, Computers, and Folders During Search of John Bolton’s Home: Court Papers

The basis for the search of the former national security adviser and ambassador’s home was ‘evidence of a crime,’ the documents stated.

Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton during a lecture at Duke University in Durham, NC., on Feb. 17, 2020. Jonathan Drake/Reuters

FBI agents retrieved documents, iPhones, USB drives, and other devices during a search of former White House national security adviser John Bolton’s home last month, according to newly released court papers.

The filing by prosecutors on Sept. 4 shed more light on the federal investigation into Bolton. The court papers include a search warrant inventory that shows that federal agents took the equipment and devices, as well as boxes containing his daily activities, typed documents in folders labeled “Trump I-IV,” and other materials from his home.

The federal investigators wrote that they obtained from his home: “1 red iPhone with 2 camera lenses,“ ”1 black iPhone in a black case,“ one ”white binder labeled ‘Statements and Reflections to Allied Strikes...,’“ documents in folders with the ”Trump I-IV“ label, four boxes with ”printed daily activities,” a Seagate-brand hard drive, a Dell tower computer, a Dell laptop, another Dell computer, and several USB drives.

The documents also stated that the basis for their search of his home was “evidence of a crime” as well as “contraband, fruits of crime, or other items illegally possessed” along with “property designed for use, intended for use, or used in committing a crime.” The documents did not say what crime Bolton may have committed.

“The target is unaware of the investigation and if they became aware, may flee or take steps to destroy or conceal the evidence sought pursuant thereto,” the government said in the court papers.

Bolton has not been charged with a crime in connection with the incident.

During the raid on Aug. 22, FBI agents were seen entering and exiting Bolton’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, some carrying boxes, according to a live stream.

The FBI told The Epoch Times in a statement at the time that it was “conducting court authorized activity in the area,” adding that “there is no threat to public safety,” while declining further comment on the specifics of its investigation.

Bolton served for 17 months as national security adviser during Trump’s first term before being fired in 2019. He has openly criticized Trump’s approach to foreign policy and government, including in a book he published titled “The Room Where it Happened.” Since leaving the government, Bolton has also frequently made media appearances and often speaks about Trump, generally in critical terms.

Trump has criticized Bolton over the years. In a post on X in 2020, Trump alleged that Bolton “illegally released much Classified Information” in his book. Later that year, Trump wrote on the platform that he believes Bolton “should be in jail, money seized, for disseminating, for profit, highly Classified information.”

Before his tenure in the Trump administration, Bolton was the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. in the Bush administration. Later, he became a foreign policy adviser to Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in his 2012 campaign.

Home of former national security adviser John Bolton in Bethesda, Md., on Aug. 22, 2025, as the FBI raids the home. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

Bolton has not spoken publicly about the circumstances of the investigation since the FBI’s search. The Epoch Times contacted his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, for comment on Sept. 4. A previous request for comment on Aug. 22 was not returned by his representatives.

“The materials taken from Amb. Bolton’s home are the ordinary records of a 40-year career serving this country,” Lowell told media outlets on Sept. 4. “Any thorough review will show nothing inappropriate was stored or kept by Amb. Bolton.”

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.