Former Trump National Security Advisor, John Bolton, has put forward a theory regarding the motive behind former President Donald Trump’s retention of secret and classified documents. Bolton believes that Trump may have held onto these documents because he found them intriguing. This theory has emerged after the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed an indictment charging Trump with violating the Espionage Act due to the possession of classified information on nuclear programs and plans for potential attacks on other nations. This article explores Bolton’s perspective on the matter.
Bolton, who has not ruled out the possibility of running for president in 2024, offered his insight into Trump’s retention of classified documents. He suggested, “I believe that some of these documents might have appealed to Trump because he considered them fascinating. Others he may have seen as keepsakes or items that could be useful to him in the future. However, I cannot give a definitive answer until I have examined the documents myself.” Bolton’s speculation follows the unveiling of a 37-count indictment against Trump by the DOJ.
According to the indictment, Trump confessed to neglecting the declassification of documents pertaining to a military “plan of attack” and displaying a classified map to an individual without proper security clearance. The documents allegedly discovered at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence included files relating to the U.S. nuclear program, the CIA, the Pentagon, and personal correspondence with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his presidency.
Nevertheless, Bolton emphasized that the motive behind Trump’s possession of the material is not the crux of the issue. He stated, “The fundamental fact that he had these documents, regardless of the reasons, should make him liable for prosecution.” Bolton urged fellow Republicans to thoroughly examine the indictment and consider whether the allegations, if proven true, merit a prison sentence for Trump. Being an influential figure in Trump’s administration, Bolton criticized GOP candidates who echoed Trump’s criticisms of law enforcement instead of scrutinizing the alleged misconduct mentioned in the indictment. He called upon the Republican National Committee (RNC) to distribute the indictment to every registered Republican, urging them to reflect on whether the accusations warrant imprisonment if substantiated.
New Title: John Bolton Speculates on Trump’s Motivation Behind Holding Classified Documents