Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., on Thursday criticized former National Security Adviser John Bolton over an expected guilty plea in a classified documents case, saying the development undermines claims that prosecutions involving classified records are politically motivated.
During an appearance on Newmax TV's "Rob Schmitt Tonight," Banks said Bolton's reported decision to plead guilty contradicted arguments from media figures and others who had suggested the case represented an improper use of the Justice Department.
"All of the left-wing media figures who said that President Trump was weaponizing the Department of Justice against this guy, and then he ends up pleading guilty," Banks said. "It just goes to show the hypocrisy on the left."
Banks argued that Bolton's plea was an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
"He pled guilty because he was guilty," Banks said. "He had classified documents that he kept illegally in his home for whatever purposes, whether it was to write a book or whatever it was."
Banks' comments came in response to past remarks by Bolton regarding the handling of classified documents cases.
Bolton had argued that prosecutors should pursue cases involving the improper retention of classified material if the evidence supports the charges.
"In this case, proceed with the prosecution and do the same for anybody else who does anything even remotely like it," Bolton said in June 2023 following the indictment of Trump on 37 criminal counts for conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and alleged illegal retention of classified documents.
"Read the indictment and ask yourself if the government can prove what they allege here," Bolton added.
He also questioned whether an individual should face prosecution solely for possessing classified documents, asking: "Shouldn't this man go to jail? The simple fact he had the documents for any reason or no reason should subject him to prosecution?"
Banks said Bolton had misled the public about his own conduct before ultimately pleading guilty.
"He lied all along," Banks said. "He pled guilty. And now he's going to be held accountable for it."
The Indiana senator also suggested the case should be viewed as evidence that officials who improperly retain classified information can face legal consequences regardless of their position.
Bolton served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2019 before becoming a frequent Trump critic.
Bolton previously commented on investigations involving classified documents and government records, often arguing that legal decisions should be based on the facts and evidence in individual cases.
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