Third Time's a Charm: Why the Bolton Indictment Finally Proves Trump Right
After years of elites being held unaccountable, justice finally catches up to one of Trump's fiercest critics
For nearly a decade, Donald Trump’s harshest critics demanded he was the problem. Now, for the third time this year, it’s one of his critics, not Trump, facing indictments.
Call it the “third time’s a charm” scenario. After years of battling the bureaucracy that marketed itself as immune to accountability, the Trump administration’s prosecutors finally have a case that cuts through political theater and hits based on evidence. James Comey and Letitia James didn’t quite hit the mark. The Bolton indictment is a bullseye.
The Untouchable Elite?
For years, bureaucratic elites like Bolton seemed untouchable, wielding their positions to attack a president they opposed while claiming the moral high ground. He leaked information and wrote a tell-all book, all while portraying himself as a guardian of democracy. It seemed Bolton would never be held accountable. That narrative has shifted.
The Case Against John Bolton: This Isn’t Comey or James
Federal prosecutors charged Bolton on October 17, 2025, with 18 felony counts under the Espionage Act for knowingly possessing and sharing national defense information. The indictment alleges eight communications and ten document retentions at classification levels that were Secret or Top Secret.
The BBC and NPR both reported that prosecutors uncovered over 1,000 pages of classified notes seized from Bolton’s Maryland residence. Bolton allegedly used personal email and messaging apps to send sensitive materials. This included information about foreign rivals’ missile plans, American covert operations, and alliances with intelligence allies, to relatives who did not have clearances.
In 2021, it was an Iranian hacker cyber-breach that exposed some of the data Bolton allegedly mismanaged. An alarming factor that Reuters describes as part of what makes this case “stronger than the recent charges against other Trump foes.”
Bolton’s actions are far more textbook Espionage Act violations than the politically charged cases brought earlier against Comey and James. It’s not simply about purpose or procedure; it’s about documentable leaks of state secrets.
This Case Carries More Weight
The cases against Comey and James are muddied; their cases are not clear-cut obstruction cases and are not likely to stick. Bolton’s case is supported by concrete, document-based forensic evidence. CNN’s analysis explains:
Physical and digital proof exists. Investigators have transmissions and timeline corroboration from Bolton’s NSA tenure (2018-2019), and clear statutory violations under 18 U.S.C. § 793(e).
The charges are historically easier to prove. The Wall Street Journal notes this represents “a more traditional case” than other recent indictments, one built on forensic evidence rather than conflicting accounts.
Traditional critics admit the strength of this case. Andrew Weissmann told NPR that the evidence against Bolton fits a “classic Espionage Act profile.” This is not political theater; this is a true crime.
Political and Symbolic Significance
Unlike with Comey and James, Bolton’s indictment has Trump’s Justice Department appearing to have a validated narrative he’s pushed since 2019. Trump has claimed that the “deep state” opposition that undermined him is actually guilty of abuse of office and national security violations.
Comey and James could easily point to selective prosecution. Still, Bolton’s pattern of handling classified material and book profits derived from intelligence disclosures after leaving office, makes that argument substantially weaker by comparison. The evidence screams louder, cutting through political noise.
Changing The Game Via Accountability
For years, it seemed the political elite were beyond accountability. Bolton’s turning on Trump looked impervious to justice, but now, Trump’s third indictment lands where proof and justice coincide. This time, we are seeing accountability and a showing that the elite are under the arm of the law.
Accountability should apply to all and Bolton’s indictment marks a major legal milestone which could lead to restored public faith. Political power can no longer hide. The message is crystal clear: you leak classified information, you face the consequences, and we don’t need to worry ourselves which administration you served. Whether a crime was committed or not is our only basis for applying the law.
What will come next from this? Will these prosecutions lead to broader institutional reform in which all officials, irrespective of political affiliation, face the same level of scrutiny? The answer will determine whether this is merely a settling of scores or the beginning of an honest repair and trust in our justice system. Many have demanded accountability at the highest levels, and the Bolton indictment suggests that change is on its way.
Sources:
PBS NewsHour — What to Know About the Federal Charges Against John Bolton https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-to-know-about-the-federal-charges-against-john-bolton
Newsweek — John Bolton Indictment: Five Key Takeaways https://www.newsweek.com/john-bolton-indictment-five-key-takeaways-10894818
Reuters — Bolton Faces Tougher Defense Than Other Trump Foes Charged With Crimes https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/bolton-faces-tougher-defense-than-other-trump-foes-charged-with-crimes-2025-10-17
BBC News — John Bolton: Former Trump National Security Adviser Indicted https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgql2qzkz5zo
CNN — Why the Bolton Indictment Is Different From the Comey and James Cases https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/17/politics/why-the-bolton-indictment-is-different-from-comey-james
NPR — A Legal Analyst Weighs In on the Federal Indictment of John Bolton https://www.npr.org/2025/10/17/nx-s1-5577798/a-legal-analyst-weighs-in-on-the-federal-indictment-of-john-bolton
Wall Street Journal — Why the DOJ’s John Bolton Case Is Different Than Trump’s Pursuit of Other Foes https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/why-the-bolton-case-is-different-than-trumps-pursuit-of-other-foes-90e55e32