FBI Raid on Former National Security Advisor's Home Shakes Quiet Maryland Town

John Bolton is an American attorney and government official known for his long career in Republican administrations and a consistently hardline approach to U.S. foreign policy. Born on November 20, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland, he graduated summa cum laude from Yale University (B.A.) and later earned his J.D. from Yale Law School[2]. Bolton began his public service in the early 1980s under President Ronald Reagan, holding positions at the U.S. Agency for International Development and as Assistant Attorney General (1985–1989)[1]. He served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs under President George H.W. Bush (1989–1993)[1][2]. During the George W. Bush administration, Bolton was appointed Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security (2001–2005), where he supported U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and opposed the International Criminal Court[1]. His nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations was controversial; facing bipartisan Senate opposition, he was installed via a recess appointment in August 2005, serving until December 2006[1][3]. At the UN, Bolton was known for his blunt, confrontational style, famously remarking that the Secretariat building “has 38 stories. If it lost 10 stories today, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference”[3]. His tenure was marked by tensions with UN officials and allies, and he achieved few major diplomatic breakthroughs[3]. Bolton returned to private life as a commentator, notably for Fox News, where he advocated aggressive stances on Iran and North Korea[3]. In April 2018, President Donald Trump appointed him National Security Advisor, a role he held until September 2019[1][5]. During this period, Bolton was a vocal advocate for a tough line on Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea, but his tenure ended abruptly amid reported policy disagreements with the president[1]. Since leaving government, Bolton has remained a prominent conservative voice, authoring books and frequently commenting on foreign policy. His memoirs, including “The Room Where It Happened,” have been notable for their critical insider accounts of the Trump administration. Bolton continues to influence foreign policy debates through media appearances and writings, maintaining relevance as a staunch advocate for assertive American global leadership[6].