National Security Defense &
National Security
The Big Story
Bolton investigated over classified documents, Vance says
The FBI raided the home of John Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, early Friday. Vice President Vance pointed to classified documents as the reason.
© Associated Press
Vance said in an interview with NBC News’s Kristen Welker for "Meet the Press" that "classified documents are certainly part of" the reason for the raid, in addition to broader concerns about Bolton that investigators are planning "to look into."
"If there's no crime here, we're not going to prosecute it. If there is a crime here, of course, Ambassador Bolton will get his day in court," Vance added. "That's how it should be. But again, our focus here is on, did he break the law? Did he commit crimes against the American people? If so, then he deserves to be prosecuted."
During Trump's first term in office, Bolton was investigated for what the administration said was classified information published in his memoir, “The Room Where It Happened."
The investigation was later dropped during the Biden administration.
Ever since his tenure as national security adviser came to a close, Bolton has become a harsh critic of Trump, often appearing on cable news outlets to bash the president's foreign policy.
Trump said Friday he had no advanced notice of the raid, but he referred to Bolton as “very unpatriotic.”
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Emily Martin, filling in for Ellen — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Programming note: This newsletter will not publish next week. We'll be back in your inboxes Sept. 2!
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.
Essential Reads
How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future:
Hegseth terminates Defense Intelligence Agency head, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth terminated the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), according to two sources familiar with the matter. A senior defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Hill on Friday that Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse “will no longer serve” as the director of the military intelligence organization.
Full StoryNational Guard troops in DC will ‘soon’ be armed, Pentagon says
The Pentagon said Friday that National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C., will soon be carrying service-issued weapons while supporting law enforcement efforts in the city.
Full StoryRussia says Putin-Zelensky meeting agenda ‘not ready at all’
Russia is not ready to agree to a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Moscow’s top diplomat. “Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told NBC News’s Kristen Welker in an upcoming interview. The full conversation is scheduled to air on …
Full StoryRubio, Witkoff mix expertise, dealmaking for Trump on Russia-Ukraine
When President Trump sat down for a high-stakes meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, there were two men by his side: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. ... They have emerged as the key players shaping foreign policy in the second Trump administration and have been at the center of efforts in recent weeks to pursue an end to the war in Ukraine.
Full StoryIn Other News
Branch out with a different read from The Hill:
Trump says Putin may attend North America’s FIFA World Cup
President Trump on Friday said Russian President Vladimir Putin may attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, showing off a photograph in the Oval Office of the two leaders together.
Full StoryYou're all caught up. See you next time!
CloseThank you for signing up!
Subscribe to more newsletters here
The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter SubscribeSource: The Hill - News
