The FBI has confirmed the discovery of classified documents in the Washington, D.C., office of former national security adviser John Bolton following a raid last month. According to court filings, the seized materials included references to weapons of mass destruction, U.S. diplomatic activities at the United Nations, and strategic communications efforts by the federal government.

The inventory list from the raid revealed documents labeled “confidential” regarding weapons of mass destruction, “secret” travel memos, and records related to the U.S. mission at the UN. The FBI did not specify whether any of the materials were declassified. Bolton’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued that the documents were not linked to his time in the Trump administration but instead originated from his earlier roles in previous administrations, including the George W. Bush era. Lowell claimed the materials had been previously reviewed and approved for use in Bolton’s 2020 memoir, “The Room Where It Happened.”

The case has reignited debates over accountability for senior officials handling sensitive national security information. Bolton’s public clashes with President Donald Trump, particularly after his book criticized Trump as unfit for office, have drawn heightened scrutiny. While the Biden-era Justice Department investigated the matter, no criminal charges were filed. The discovery underscores ongoing concerns about the mishandling of classified materials and the enforcement of legal standards for high-ranking officials.