FBI and DOJ being 'politicized' in way 'we've never seen in modern history'
MSNBC·2025-08-22 20:45

Investigation Focus - The FBI searched John Bolton's home for over 7 hours, seeking evidence related to the possession and potential leaking of sensitive national defense or classified information [2][11] - The investigation is focused on the last four years, potentially circumventing statute of limitations concerns related to Bolton's book [11] - A magistrate judge authorized the search, indicating probable cause of a crime [4] Political Context & Concerns - The search occurs amidst concerns about the politicization of the FBI and Justice Department [3] - The Vice President's comments, using "we" to describe the Justice Department, raised questions about White House influence [9][10] - Trump's past criticisms of Bolton and vows of retribution, coupled with the coincidences surrounding the investigation, raise credibility concerns [25][26] Information Disclosure & Transparency - Calls are being made for the release of the affidavit used to justify the search, similar to the transparency following the Mar-a-Lago search [13] - The White House's knowledge and involvement in the investigation are being questioned, particularly given conflicting statements from Trump and JD Vance [18][19] Potential Motivations & Implications - The possibility that Bolton, a critic of Trump's handling of classified information, is now under investigation for similar offenses is noted [24][25] - Concerns are raised that the investigation could be politically motivated, potentially undermining the presumption of good faith [26][28]