WASHINGTON - John Bolton pleaded not guilty Friday to charges accusing the former Trump national security adviser of emailing classified information to relatives and storing top-secret documents at his Maryland home.
Not guilty plea
Bolton declined to speak to reporters as he entered the courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland, for his initial appearance on an 18-count indictment filed Thursday.
It’s the third criminal case in recent weeks brought by the Justice Department against a Trump critic, amid growing concerns that the Republican president is using federal law enforcement to target his perceived enemies.
Bolton appears in court Friday over classified records case
DOJ concerns
"Now, I have become the latest target in weaponizing the Justice Department to charge those he deems to be his enemies with charges that were declined before or distort the facts," Bolton said in a statement after Thursday’s indictment.
Bolton is accused of sharing more than 1,000 pages of notes with his wife and daughter, containing sensitive national defense information gathered from meetings with U.S. officials, foreign leaders, and intelligence briefings.
READ MORE: John Bolton indicted for improper handling of classified documents
White House National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton talks to reporters Wednesday, May 1, 2019, outside the West Wing entrance of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour)
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press.