Bolton Pleads Not Guilty

Former national security adviser John Bolton pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he illegally shared classified information with his family members and stored top secret documents at his Bethesda home years after he left government.

Bolton, who was a top aide to President Donald Trump in his first term before falling out with the president and being fired from the White House, entered the not guilty plea during a brief hearing in federal court.

Bolton was wearing a dark suit and red tie as he entered the courtroom in the custody of U.S. Marshals. He was not restrained, but the clanging of cellblock keys could be heard as he was brought in.

“Not guilty, your honor,” said Bolton when asked by U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan to enter a plea. Prosecutors did not seek to detain Bolton, who was released on his own recognizance.

Despite Trump’s calls for the Justice Department to target his political adversaries, prosecutors did not arrest Bolton but allowed him to surrender, avoiding the “perp walk” that sometimes follows an FBI arrest.

Bolton arrived at the courthouse along with his lawyers around 8:30 a.m. and spent more than two hours Friday morning in the U.S. Marshals’ suite at the courthouse prior to his appearance before the judge.

Despite the widespread publicity about the case, the judge initially addressed Bolton on Friday by his middle name. “Are you Robert Bolton?” the judge asked.

“I’m John Robert Bolton,” Bolton replied. The judge also asked Bolton standard questions about whether he could speak, read and write in English and whether he understood his right to remain silent. When asked how much education he’d completed, the Yale Law grad said, “Law school.”

The judge also cracked a brief joke after Bolton chimed in that he has two passports, common for frequent international travelers.

“I hope they’re both in Mr. Bolton’s name,” the judge quipped.

“They are,” Bolton said.

Bolton left the courtroom with the marshals and emerged from their office later in the morning. Bolton ignored questions from reporters as he and the defense team walked out of the courthouse.