John Bolton’s book could land him in serious legal trouble for allegedly exposing classified information, with President Donald Trump’s White House adviser Peter Navarro warning that the former national security adviser might even face prison for “profiteering off of America’s secrets.”
In an article for The Hill, Navarro referenced a 2020 decision by Judge Royce Lamberth, noting that the judge had cautioned Bolton “had ‘likely jeopardized national security by disclosing classified information in violation of his nondisclosure agreement obligations,’ ” adding that Bolton had “gambled with the national security of the United States.”
Navarro argued that Bolton’s memoir, The Room Where It Happened, went far beyond revealing personal anecdotes or gossip. Instead, he said Bolton exposed confidential Oval Office discussions, sensitive national security meetings, and even intelligence shared by America’s allies.
“That isn’t service,” Navarro wrote. “That isn’t patriotism. That’s profiteering off of America’s secrets.”
He also cited sections of the book detailing U.S. strategies on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, talks with North Korea, and internal debates regarding Turkey’s Halkbank case — examples Navarro claimed involved material that should have remained protected.
“Such a disclosure of national-defense information without authorization can constitute a crime,” Navarro argued, adding that Bolton’s actions “humiliated our allies” and “shredded trust.”
Navarro contrasted Bolton’s behavior with the authority granted to presidents, emphasizing a key distinction in handling classified material. “Hey, John, the difference between you and a president is that presidents can take anything they want and declassify it,” Navarro wrote. “And brother, you can’t.”
Navarro, who himself served prison time for refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena, concluded by warning that Bolton could ultimately face severe consequences. He suggested that if prosecutors decide to pursue the case, the former national security adviser “may one day go to prison for shredding that Constitution, defying executive privilege, and trampling safeguards meant to protect America’s security.”
{Matzav.com}
