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FBI Raids John Bolton’s Homes in Probe of Alleged Classified Document Mishandling

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Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton is under renewed investigation for allegedly mishandling classified national security documents, with FBI officials telling The Post that criminal charges should be pursued.

Federal agents raided Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington, D.C., office Friday morning, seeking evidence related to allegations he improperly transferred highly sensitive materials to a private server and shared them with family members before his dismissal from the Trump White House in September 2019.

Senior FBI officials said the allegations were first identified in 2020 through a “very specific intelligence capacity” that flagged the potential transfer of documents from Bolton’s White House desk to his wife and daughter. The investigation, which was distinct from the earlier probe into Bolton’s 2020 book The Room Where It Happened, carried into the Biden administration but was later “shelved,” according to sources.

“The [Biden administration] had probable cause to know that he had taken material that was detrimental to the national security of the United States, and they made no effort to retrieve it,” one senior FBI official said.

Some investigators characterized the case as “air-tight” and raised concerns that the Biden administration’s decision to halt the probe may have been politically motivated, given Bolton’s vocal criticism of President Donald Trump.

The matter resurfaced after FBI Director Kash Patel, confirmed in February, requested briefings on sensitive cases. Sources said Patel initially believed the Bolton file pertained to the closed investigation into his book but was told it involved an entirely separate matter that had not been pursued.

The raid was launched Tuesday in an effort to uncover further evidence regarding the alleged mishandling of classified information.

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Trump Mobilizes National Guardsmen to Assist With Illegal Immigration and Crime Crackdown

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President Donald Trump is mobilizing approximately 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in support of his broader effort to combat illegal immigration and crime, according to multiple reports.

Fox News reported Friday that Guard members will be activated in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. The deployments are expected to run from August through mid-November.

While the troops will support federal operations, they will remain under the authority of their state governors, Stars and Stripes noted.

A U.S. Defense official told Fox that the mobilized soldiers will play a supporting role in a “sweeping federal interagency effort,” serving both as logistical backing and a visible deterrent. The Guard members will assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with case management, transportation, and administrative tasks linked to migrant processing. Those duties may include collecting personal data, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing, and photographing individuals in custody.

The move comes amid a broader campaign by the Trump administration to tighten enforcement of immigration laws and address urban crime. Violent crime in Washington, D.C., has dropped 22 percent in the past week, according to Breitbart News. The decline follows Trump’s recent executive actions invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which placed the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and activated Guard forces in the capital.

The latest deployments mark a significant expansion of the administration’s use of the National Guard as both an operational and symbolic tool in addressing two of Trump’s central policy priorities: immigration enforcement and public safety.

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Trump to Patrol DC With Cops, Military Tonight as Part of His Crime Crackdown in the Capital

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President Trump told conservative radio host Todd Starnes Thursday he plans on tagging along with DC police and National Guard members as they patrol the capital this evening.

“I’m going to be going out tonight, I think with the police and with the military of course,” the president said. “So we’re going to do a job — the National Guard is great, they’ve done a fantastic job.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Thursday marked 10 days since Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and called out the National Guard in response to a series of high-profile crimes in the district.

Yesterday, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth treated National Guard members to lunch at DC’s Union Station.

(Read more from “Trump to Patrol DC With Cops, Military Tonight as Part of His Crime Crackdown in the Capital” HERE)

Trump Calls Netanyahu a ‘War Hero’ and Adds: ‘I Guess I Am, Too’

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President Trump praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel as a “war hero” for ordering his country’s forces to bombard Iran’s nuclear sites — and then said that the same label should apply to himself.

In an interview aired Tuesday with Mark Levin, the conservative talk show host and author who is a prominent supporter of the president, Mr. Trump described Mr. Netanyahu as a “good man.” His words echoed the mood of self-congratulation over the strikes on Iran when the two leaders met at the White House in July.

“He’s a war hero, because we work together. He’s a war hero,” Mr. Trump said of the Israeli leader. “I guess I am too,” he added.

Israel in mid-June launched waves of airstrikes against Iran, hitting important nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan. It killed much of the country’s military chain of command along with several nuclear scientists. Then, on June 22, the United States used large bombs to strike the Iranian nuclear site at Fordo, which is buried under a mountain. (Read more from “Trump Calls Netanyahu a ‘War Hero’ and Adds: ‘I Guess I Am, Too’” HERE)

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U.S. Deploys Warships to Venezuela in Trump’s Cartel Crackdown

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The United States has deployed three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to waters off Venezuela as part of President Trump’s escalating campaign against Latin American drug cartels, U.S. officials confirmed this week.

According to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson will operate in the region over the coming months in support of counter-narcotics missions. The deployment marks one of the largest U.S. naval shows of force in the Caribbean in recent years.

The move underscores President Trump’s strategy of using the military to pressure cartels he blames for flooding U.S. communities with fentanyl and fueling violence through cross-border trafficking and smuggling networks. Trump has argued that traditional law enforcement and diplomatic measures have failed to stop the cartels, vowing instead to “take the fight directly to them.”

The president has also increased pressure on Mexico, warning President Claudia Sheinbaum that the U.S. military could be deployed inside Mexican territory if her government fails to rein in cartel activity. Sheinbaum has firmly rejected the idea of U.S. intervention but has pledged to intensify Mexico’s anti-cartel operations.

In February, the U.S. formally designated Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, El Salvador’s MS-13, and six major Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The designations give federal agencies expanded authority to pursue their members, finances, and global networks.

The crackdown also ties into Trump’s broader immigration agenda. The Department of Homeland Security reports that more than 324,000 illegal immigrants have been deported since the start of the year — about 70 percent with criminal records or cartel ties. Another 1.2 million individuals are estimated to have left the U.S. voluntarily under the administration’s stepped-up enforcement measures.

At sea, the U.S. Coast Guard has tripled its presence along the southern maritime approaches, focusing on detecting and interdicting drug and human smuggling ventures. Officials say the addition of the destroyers will expand surveillance and interdiction capabilities, creating what amounts to a layered defense against cartel networks operating in the Caribbean and South America.

The deployment of U.S. warships near Venezuela is expected to strain Washington’s already tense relationship with Caracas, which has long accused the U.S. of using counternarcotics operations as a pretext for intervention. Still, U.S. officials maintain the mission is focused squarely on dismantling trafficking pipelines, not sparking new conflict.

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Judge Rejects Trump DOJ Bid to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcript, Calls It a ‘Diversion’

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A federal judge has rejected an effort by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice to unseal grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, describing the request as a “diversion” from broader records in the government’s possession.

Judge Richard Berman, a Clinton appointee, issued a 14-page ruling on Wednesday denying the DOJ’s petition, which had been filed in July 2025 at the direction of President Donald Trump. The judge wrote that the transcript in question was “merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct,” adding that the government itself should be responsible for making a more comprehensive disclosure of records tied to the Epstein case.

“The Government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein files,” Berman noted. “By comparison, the instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession.”

The ruling follows two earlier rejections of attempts to unseal similar transcripts in both Epstein’s Florida proceedings and the Ghislaine Maxwell case.

Attorneys representing several Epstein victims raised objections to the DOJ’s approach, questioning whether proper notice and safeguards were provided. In an August 5 letter to Judge Berman, victims’ lawyers wrote that their clients felt “deep anxiety” about the adequacy of redactions. The attorneys criticized the government for failing to notify victims before moving to unseal the grand jury materials, a step they argued could compromise privacy and safety.

Berman echoed those concerns, noting that maintaining confidentiality in certain aspects of the case remains crucial to protecting individuals involved.

Meanwhile, congressional scrutiny of the Epstein files has intensified. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer announced on August 5 that the DOJ would begin providing Epstein-related records to his committee by the end of that week, though the process of reviewing and redacting sensitive information would take time.

“There are many records in DOJ’s custody, and it will take the Department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted,” Comer said in a statement, adding that he welcomed efforts by the Trump administration to promote transparency.

Why Did Trump Push for the Transcript?

The unusual element in this case remains the Trump administration’s decision to prioritize unsealing a single grand jury transcript rather than pursuing a broader release of Epstein-related files. Critics, including Judge Berman, have suggested the request distracted from a more comprehensive accounting of the government’s records.

The timing of the move also drew attention. Just days before the filing, a DOJ memo stating Epstein had no “client list” and died by suicide prompted frustration among Trump’s political base, who demanded fuller disclosure. Whether the push to unseal the transcript was motivated by those political pressures, or by a broader policy commitment to transparency, remains unclear.

Raising the Bar: Trump Admin Makes U.S. Citizenship Harder to Earn

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For decades, becoming a U.S. citizen has been one of the greatest privileges in the world. But under weak policies, too often the path to naturalization has been reduced to checking boxes and avoiding only the most extreme disqualifiers. That’s changing under the Trump administration, which has announced a tougher, more rigorous standard for immigrant applicants seeking citizenship.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new guidance restoring a “holistic and comprehensive” standard for evaluating good moral character (GMC). Instead of assuming someone qualifies simply because they haven’t committed a murder or aggravated felony, officers will now look for positive contributions — evidence that an applicant is ready to uphold the responsibilities of citizenship, not just enjoy its benefits.

According to the memo, “evaluating GMC involves more than a cursory mechanical review focused on the absence of wrongdoing. It entails a holistic assessment of an alien’s behavior, adherence to societal norms, and positive contributions that affirmatively demonstrate good moral character.”

This means that, moving forward, USCIS officers will weigh factors like:

Volunteer service and community involvement

Family caregiving and ties in the U.S.

Stable employment and financial responsibility

Educational attainment and tax compliance

At the same time, the new policy tightens scrutiny of disqualifying behavior. Acts that previously slipped through the cracks — including DUIs, drug violations, reckless driving, harassment, or even unlawful voter registration — can now weigh heavily against an applicant.

The Trump administration’s message is clear: U.S. citizenship is not a consolation prize. It is the gold standard of citizenship worldwide, and it must be reserved for those who embody the best of American values.

As USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser put it, “U.S. citizenship is the gold standard of citizenship — it should only be offered to the world’s best of the best.”

By restoring higher expectations, the administration is ensuring that America remains a nation built on strong families, strong communities, and strong character. That’s not only good for today — it’s an investment in the country’s future.

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Trump Clarifies Role American Troops May Play In Ukraine Peace Deal

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President Donald Trump told Fox and Friends the United States may give Ukraine air support as part of the peace deal with Russia.

Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Monday to discuss a possible peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. During the meeting, the president didn’t rule out American troops on the ground in Ukraine but on Tuesday, Trump suggested the U.S. would help by air.

“What did [the world leaders] say to you privately? It looks like they are on the same page as you are,” Fox and Friends host Lawrence Jones asked Trump.

“They are, they’re very good people, they are very good leaders of their country and they want to lead their country. They are consumed with this far more than we are because they are right there. We have an ocean separating us, a thing called an ocean. A big, beautiful ocean. They don’t. They are right there,” Trump began.

“It’s a different kind of a thing for them…when it comes to security, they are willing to put people on the ground, we’re willing to help them with things, especially, probably if you talk about by air because nobody has stuff we have, really they don’t have,” the president said.

(Read more from “Trump Clarifies Role American Troops May Play In Ukraine Peace Deal” HERE)

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Trump Admin Just Raised The Bar For Anyone Hoping To Become An American

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The Trump administration plans to more heavily scrutinize foreign nationals applying for American citizenship as it continues to tighten enforcement standards across the board.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency tasked with managing the country’s legal immigration system, will no longer only consider an alien’s absence of misconduct during the naturalization process, but will also identify their “positive attributes” to society, according to a new memo from the agency. The Trump administration argues the move will restore integrity to the citizenship application process.

“U.S. citizenship is the gold standard of citizenship — it should only be offered to the world’s best of the best,” Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesperson, said in a public statement shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation.

“Today, USCIS is adding a new element to the naturalization process that ensures America’s newest citizens not only embrace America’s culture, history, and language but who also demonstrate Good Moral Character,” Tragesser continued. “This memo ensures that USCIS officers are accounting for an alien’s positive contributions to American society — including community involvement, achievements, and financial responsibility rather than the absence of their misconduct.”

Permanent legal residents on a pathway to American citizenship must demonstrate they are an individual of good moral character (GMC), according to USCIS. This evaluation typically involves an assessment of an alien’s behavior, including a review focused on the absence of any wrongdoing. Under these updated guidelines, the GMC assessment is expanded to involve a “holistic” evaluation of an applicant’s behavior and positive contributions. (Read more from “Trump Admin Just Raised The Bar For Anyone Hoping To Become An American” HERE)

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DC Attorney General Sues Feds To Stop Trump Admin From Cleaning Up Crime

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Washington, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb has had enough of criminal arrests and clearing out homeless encampments. He has announced that the city is suing the Trump Administration to stop its takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

President Donald Trump announced an executive order Monday invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act. It gives the federal government the authority to control MPD. Trump also declared a public safety emergency D.C., mobilizing the National Guard to address rampant crime in the nation’s capital.

The final straw for the city was Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Thursday order naming DEA Administrator Terry Cole as emergency police commissioner. Cole will assume “all of the powers and duties vested in the District of Columbia Chief of Police,” according to the order.

Schwalb will fight in court for MPD’s Chief Pamela Smith’s position.

“It is my opinion that the Bondi Order is unlawful, and that you are not legally obligated to follow it,” Schwalb said in an August 14 letter to Smith. (Read more from “DC Attorney General Sues Feds To Stop Trump Admin From Cleaning Up Crime” HERE)

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