FBI Director Kash Patel posted a cryptic message on social media Friday morning as federal agents carried out a raid at the Washington, D.C., home of former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Without naming anyone directly, Patel wrote on X: “NO ONE is above the law…@FBI agents on mission.” His statement came just as reports confirmed that agents were executing a search at Bolton’s residence.
According to an anonymous official cited by the Associated Press, the raid was connected to an investigation into the handling of classified documents.
Bolton, who served as President Trump’s third national security adviser from April 2018 to September 2019, has long been a controversial figure. Earlier this year, the AP reported that Trump revoked the clearances of more than four dozen former intelligence officials, including Bolton, on his first day back in office.
During Trump’s first term, the White House also sought—unsuccessfully—to block publication of Bolton’s memoir, claiming it contained classified material.
More recently, Bolton has spoken out against Trump’s trade policies, particularly his tariffs on India. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Bolton called Trump an “aberrational president” and argued that U.S.-India relations were in “a very bad place.”
He criticized Washington’s “confused” stance on New Delhi, especially Trump’s decision to penalize India with a 25 percent tariff for purchasing Russian energy while exempting China from similar measures.
“Unfortunately, what Trump has done on tariffs is destroying decades of effort with India and many others to build up good faith and reliance, and it will take time to repair that. But here’s what’s important: Trump is aberrational,” Bolton said.
He added, “I don’t know any other Republican or Democrat who ran for president who if elected would behave anything like this.”
Bolton was referring to Trump’s additional 25 percent tariff on India’s Russian oil imports, raising the total levy to 50 percent.
