Former Trump adviser John Bolton expected to plead guilty in classified information case

Bolton served in President Donald Trump's first administration before becoming a vocal critic of the president.

(NBC)- Former National Security Adviser John Bolton is expected to plead guilty to one count of retaining national security information, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Bolton served in President Donald Trump’s first administration before becoming a vocal critic of the president. The two men have frequently exchanged public criticism in recent years.

“I think it is a retribution presidency,” Bolton previously said.

“I think he’s a bad guy. Yeah, he’s a bad guy,” Trump said of Bolton.

The plea agreement would mark a significant reversal for Bolton, who initially vowed to fight the charges. It would also represent the first legal victory in a series of prosecutions targeting individuals viewed by the president as political opponents.

FBI Director Kash Patel defended the investigation, saying it followed established legal procedures.

“We don’t reverse engineer prosecutions or investigations,” Patel said. “We went to a judge, met the probable cause standard, raided his house, obtained information, went before a grand jury.”

The development comes as President Trump has nominated Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to permanently lead the Justice Department.

“Todd is very popular. He’s doing great,” Trump said.

Some Republicans have voiced support for Blanche’s nomination.

“I’ve been personally real impressed with him,” said Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas.

Democrats, however, have criticized Blanche’s previous role as Trump’s personal attorney.

“Personal loyalty to President Trump is the qualification for whatever the job is, Attorney General, Director of National Intelligence,” said Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont.

Welch’s comments referenced another recent personnel decision that has drawn criticism from both parties: the appointment of Housing chief Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.

“I don’t know of any national security experience he has,” said Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

“I see no evidence of any qualifications for that job,” added Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.

President Trump has since said Pulte’s role as acting director of national intelligence will be temporary.