FBI agents conducted court-approved searches of former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s Bethesda, Maryland home and his Washington office early Friday as part of what officials described as a national-security investigation into the potential mishandling of classified information. Agents arrived shortly before 7 a.m., remained for about seven hours and were seen carrying boxes of material from both locations. Bolton was not detained and has made no public comment. A person familiar with the matter said the warrant was obtained after the CIA provided intelligence to the bureau. FBI Director Kash Patel, who ordered the operation, posted that “no one is above the law,” a message later echoed by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Patel’s bureau previously dropped a similar probe in 2021, but officials now say fresh information prompted the renewed action. President Donald Trump, whose relationship with Bolton soured after the aide’s 2020 memoir, told reporters he had “no knowledge” of the search beforehand while branding Bolton a “lowlife” and “sleazebag.” Vice President JD Vance confirmed the inquiry is in its early stages and centers on classified documents but rejected suggestions the move was political retribution, saying prosecutions would proceed only if evidence of crimes emerges. The raid revives long-running disputes over Bolton’s handling of government secrets and underscores wider concerns that federal law-enforcement tools could be employed against political adversaries. Legal analysts noted that any future charges would require the Justice Department to show Bolton knowingly retained or disclosed protected material after leaving office.