Challenges in the Life of John Bolton in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and John Bolton faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

John Bolton is an American attorney, diplomat, and political commentator, known for his hawkish foreign policy views. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006 and as the National Security Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Bolton is a Republican consultant and has been a controversial figure due to his strong advocacy for interventionist foreign policies and skepticism towards international organizations and treaties. His tenure in government has been marked by significant policy debates and public attention.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1969: Vietnam War Draft Lottery

During the 1969 Vietnam War draft lottery, John Bolton drew number 185.

1970: Graduate in 1970

By the time John Bolton was about to graduate in 1970, it was clear to him that opponents of the Vietnam War had made it certain we could not prevail.

April 12, 2005: Senate panel focuses on allegations that Bolton pressured intelligence analysts

On April 12, 2005, the Senate panel focused on allegations that Bolton pressured intelligence analysts. Former State Department intelligence chief Carl W. Ford Jr. called Bolton a "serial abuser" and accused him of abusing his power and authority.

May 26, 2005: Senate Democrats postpone vote on Bolton's UN nomination

On May 26, 2005, Senate Democrats postponed the vote on Bolton's UN nomination due to withheld documents from the Bush administration, marking the "first filibuster of the year."

June 20, 2005: Senate vote on cloture fails

On June 20, 2005, the Senate vote on cloture regarding Bolton's nomination failed, falling six votes short of ending debate. Senator Voinovich switched his previous "yes" vote and urged President Bush to pick another nominee.

July 28, 2005: Bolton's statement to the Senate found false

On July 28, 2005, it was revealed that Bolton made a false statement on forms submitted to the Senate, indicating he hadn't been questioned in any investigation in the prior five years when he had been interviewed by the State Department's Inspector General. The State Department later reversed itself, claiming Bolton had simply forgotten about the investigation.

August 1, 2005: Recess Appointment as UN Ambassador

On August 1, 2005, John Bolton was recess-appointed to the post of United States Ambassador to the United Nations due to a Democratic filibuster.

2005: Limited role in Libya WMD agreement

In 2005, John Bolton's involvement in the agreement with Libya to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction program was intentionally limited, with reports suggesting he was kept unaware of key developments until shortly before the public announcement.

2007: Interview on Vietnam War

In a 2007 interview, John Bolton explained his comment in the Yale reunion book, stating his decision to avoid service in Vietnam was because opponents of the Vietnam War had made it certain that the US could not prevail.

2018: Unlawful Transmission and Retention of National Defense Information

Between 2018 and 2025, John Bolton committed unlawful transmission and retention of national defense information.

August 2019: President Trump Freezing Ukraine Aid

In August 2019, according to Bolton's forthcoming book, President Trump allegedly told Bolton that he wanted to continue freezing aid to Ukraine until officials there pursued investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens.

September 10, 2019: Bolton resigns as National Security Advisor

On September 10, 2019, President Trump claimed he told Bolton his "services are no longer needed", leading to Bolton's resignation. However, Bolton contradicted Trump's account, stating he offered to resign on September 9. The White House endorsed Trump's version of the events.

November 7, 2019: Refusal to Attend Impeachment Deposition

On November 7, 2019, John Bolton refused to attend his scheduled deposition in the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump and threatened legal action if subpoenaed, stating he wanted a federal court to rule on a lawsuit by his former deputy before testifying.

December 2019: Submission of The Room Where It Happened for Security Review

In December 2019, Bolton submitted his memoir, The Room Where It Happened, for security review.

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir

Check it on Amazon

January 6, 2020: Announcement to Testify if Subpoenaed

On January 6, 2020, Bolton announced in a written statement obtained by NBC News that he would testify during the Senate impeachment trial if issued a subpoena, requiring a 51-vote majority from the Senate.

January 2020: Death of Qasem Soleimani

In January 2020, Qasem Soleimani died, which may have motivated the October 2021 plot to allegedly murder Bolton.

January 28, 2020: Trump impeachment lawyer Jay Sekulow dismissing Bolton's claims

On January 28, 2020, Trump impeachment lawyer Jay Sekulow dismissed Bolton's claims as "inadmissible" when he argued before the Senate in defense of Trump. Democratic trial manager Adam Schiff later remarked that Sekulow's assertion validated the argument that Bolton should be called to testify.

June 16, 2020: Justice Department Attempt to Block Publication of Memoir

On June 16, 2020, the Trump Justice Department attempted to block publication of Bolton's memoir, The Room Where It Happened, seeking to confiscate Bolton's $2 million advance for breach of contract.

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir

Check it on Amazon

2020: White House Allegedly Slow-Walking Review Process

In 2020, Bolton's attorney asserted that the White House was slow-walking the review process to prevent the book, which contained extensive harsh criticism of Trump, from being released during the 2020 election campaign.

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir

Check it on Amazon

October 2021: Murder Plot Against Bolton

In October 2021, Shahram Poursafi, an Iranian national and member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, plotted to allegedly murder Bolton, likely in retaliation for the January 2020 death of Qasem Soleimani.

2021: Justice Department Drops Criminal Inquiry

In 2021, The New York Times reported that the Justice Department had dropped its criminal inquiry of Bolton in June of that year and moved to end efforts to confiscate proceeds from his book.

August 10, 2022: Iranian National Charged in Plot to Murder Bolton

On August 10, 2022, an Iranian national, Shahram Poursafi, was charged by the United States Department of Justice in connection to an October 2021 plot to allegedly murder John Bolton, potentially in retaliation for the January 2020 death of Qasem Soleimani.

January 20, 2025: Bolton Loses Secret Service Protection

On January 20, 2025, after President Trump returned to office, John Bolton's protective detail from the United States Secret Service, which was granted following an alleged murder plot in October 2021, was rescinded.

August 22, 2025: FBI Raid on Bolton's Home

On August 22, 2025, FBI agents raided Bolton's home as part of a documents investigation, looking for classified materials.

October 2025: Indictment on Unlawful Transmission and Retention of National Defense Information

In October 2025, John Bolton was indicted on eight counts of unlawful transmission and ten counts of unlawful retention of national defense information between 2018 and 2025.

October 16, 2025: Indictment on 18 Charges

On October 16, 2025, Bolton was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Maryland on 18 charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, including counts of unlawful transmission and retention of national defense information.

October 17, 2025: Surrender to Authorities and Not Guilty Plea

On October 17, 2025, Bolton surrendered to authorities at a courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland, and pled not guilty to the 18-count indictment brought against him.

2025: DOJ Criminal Investigation Gained Momentum

In 2025, The New York Times later reported that the DOJ's criminal investigation into Bolton had actually "gained momentum in the Biden administration."