JD Vance Denies Trump White House Targeted John Bolton

Former national security advisor John Bolton’s Maryland house was raided by the FBI in response to his criticism of former President Donald Trump, although Vice President JD Vance denied this. In an interview on “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker,” Vance stated that the Bolton probe is based on legal principles, not politics.

The interview was posted Friday hours after federal officials searched Bolton’s Bethesda home. Reports link the raid to a criminal probe concerning secret document mismanagement. Critics say the Trump administration may be using federal power to punish its critics.

Vance Rejects “Retaliation” Story

Welker asked Vance if Bolton was targeted for his open opposition to Trump. Vance denied it. He claimed that if the administration wanted to quiet political opponents, it would follow the Biden Justice Department’s “willy-nilly” prosecutions, many of which were overturned.

Vance said the Bolton probe is legal. “We’re going to be careful, we’re going to be deliberate,” he remarked. If someone disagrees with us politically, especially if they disagree with us, they shouldn’t be imprisoned. We’re making these decisions based on the law.”

He questioned why the raid was called political revenge. Who says this is retribution? It’s typically the same folks who wanted to imprison Donald Trump on allegations judges rejected, Vance said, adding that the public should let the probe progress before drawing conclusions.

Trump Reacts to Bolton Raid

Former President Trump was questioned by reporters about the FBI’s Bolton home search. Trump said he only heard about the operation via TV. He called Bolton “a lowlife” and said he had no idea about the raid.

Trump’s comments highlighted their tight relationship. Former Trump national security advisor Bolton became a notable critic. His foreign policy criticisms have often put him in conflict with Trump and his backers.

Greater Political Targeting Concerns

The Bolton raid raised doubts about Trump’s use of federal power. Detractors say such moves risk appearing as political score-settling, especially since the Justice Department has investigated Trump-Russia probe originators and other administration critics.

The 2022 FBI search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home yielded secret materials, raising these worries. National debate followed that search, which resulted in dropped criminal charges. It epitomizes government agency political weaponization, according to Trump and his followers.

In his articles, Trump ally FBI Director Kash Patel called Bolton part of the “Deep State.” Patel called the Mar-a-Lago raid a “total weaponization and politicization” of the FBI in a recent television appearance, fueling debates over its trustworthiness and neutrality.

Bolton Investigation

Bolton has not been charged yet. The Justice Department has confirmed an inquiry, but officials—including Vance—have underlined that no final decisions have been taken. Evidence that Bolton mishandled secret materials will determine whether the raid results in criminal prosecution.

Vance advised the media and public to be patient as the Justice Department finishes its job. “If the investigation is allowed to proceed as it should, people will see that this is deliberate, based on law and national interest,” he said.

The situation is fluid, but the raid is one of the most major federal actions against a high-profile Trump critic. The next several weeks will reveal if this probe leads to formal charges or worsens political tensions over federal investigative powers.

Sources:

• Associated Press
• NBC News – Meet the Press Interview
• U.S. Department of Justice