John Bolton, at 76, had his suburban Maryland home raided by the FBI early on August 22, 2025.
Agents swept in around 7 a.m. in a high-profile national security probe tied to his handling of classified documents—even though he wasn’t arrested or charged.
The raid was authorized by FBI Director Kash Patel, who drove home the point: "No one is above the law."
Bolton, known for his tough talk and sharp policy chops, has since clashed with authorities over his memoir The Room Where It Happened, which some say spilled classified info.
But those claims have yet to lead to charges. It’s a tense moment, full of political echoes and courtroom suspense.
Why Did the FBI Raid His Place?
The story goes: after Bolton left the Trump administration, he published a memoir that some officials claimed contained classified info.
There had been a legal tussle—DOJ had tried to block the book, then dropped the case. Now, fast forward to 2025—the FBI launches a search.
FBI Director Kash Patel (yes, that same guy who’s back in the big chair under Trump’s revived administration) had a line that pretty much summed up what everyone was thinking: “No one is above the law… FBI agents on mission.”
That, plus a dash of Attorney General Pam Bondi echoing the sentiment about safety and justice, set the tone.
It’s as if they were saying, “We’re not playing politics—this is business.” But of course, politics is what everyone’s sniffing around.
Who Is John Bolton?
John Robert Bolton was born in Baltimore back in 1948 and has been in government since the Reagan years.
He’s rocketed through a few top posts: assistant attorney general, under-secretary, UN ambassador under George W. Bush, and finally national security adviser to Trump from 2018 to 2019.
If there’s ever a resume that screams, “I’ve done the whole Washington hall circuit,” it’s Bolton’s.
He’s known for his hawkish foreign policy views—think Iran, North Korea, regime change, marching right into the lion’s den if needed. He even helped push for the Iraq War.
Later, he wrote that memoir, slammed Trump’s foreign-policy intelligence, and—boom—went from adviser to critic almost overnight.
Bolton's Career: Quite a Ride
John Bolton has a résumé that’s as bold as his personality. He started in Reagan’s White House, moved through various State Department roles, and eventually became:
- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under George W. Bush (2005–2006). A recess appointment fueled plenty of controversy.
- National Security Advisor to Trump (2018–2019), though he and Trump didn’t always see eye to eye—especially on Iran, North Korea, and foreign diplomacy.
- Bolton’s known as a hawkish advocate for military intervention and regime change. He’s been at the center of foreign policy flashpoints for decades—and never shy about stirring the pot
Net Worth in 2025: How Much Is Bolton Worth?
Some reports peg his net worth around $6 million, drawing from his public service pay, book earnings, media work, and speaking gigs.
Others go as high as $8 million, suggesting big book advances (think lobby-circles—"the Room Where It Happened" likely came with a healthy payday), consulting and Fox News commentator fees, and paid speaking appearances.
So honestly? It’s somewhere in that $6M to $8M ballpark.
He’s made money writing books—especially that blockbuster memoir The Room Where It Happened—plus making regular media appearances and consulting.
So yeah, not a pauper by any means, but also not a billionaire. Moderately wealthy, as they say—enough for a nice life in Bethesda without worries.
Behind the Spotlight: Family, Life, and the Man Off-Camera
Here’s where life gets a bit more grounded. Bolton married Gretchen Smith in 1986. She’s a financial planner by trade, and they’ve been living together in Bethesda, Maryland, since then.
They have one daughter, Jennifer. Before Gretchen, he’d been married—his first marriage ended in divorce.
He’s got that strong Lutheran background, and by all accounts, he’s kept family life relatively low-key despite all the political noise.
No flashy posts on social media with family vacations or anything—Bolton’s the private, work-driven type when it comes to personal life.
Still, having a partner in financial planning probably helps smooth out taxes and money stuff, especially when you’re juggling book advances and political commentary.
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