The storied career of John Bolton took its sharpest twist yet when federal agents arrived at his suburban home early one morning, carting off boxes of possible evidence. A former national security adviser during President Trump’s first term—and now one of his most persistent critics—Bolton has found himself at the center of a high-profile probe into whether he hoarded or leaked sensitive materials.

Agents also appeared at his downtown office, combing through records to piece together a case that has been simmering behind closed doors for years. While the precise contents of the seized items remain under wraps, officials describe it as a major escalation by law enforcement. The move follows Bolton’s unrelenting public condemnation of the president’s handling of foreign affairs. In recent weeks, the ex–national security adviser criticized Trump’s dealings with Russia, accusing the White House of gifting President Putin a propaganda coup during high-level meetings.

Shortly after the raid, top leaders in the administration voiced confidence that no official—no matter how prominent—would be immune from investigation. They argue that the raid is not about exacting revenge but ensuring that no one, including a onetime confidant of the president, can leak or misuse national security information. Critics, though, say the raid’s timing looks suspiciously aligned with Bolton’s latest barbs. They see it as part of a broader pattern in which the White House brands its foes as lawbreakers.

Bolton’s tenure under the president was always uneasy. He came in as a hawkish adviser but was shown the door when clashes mounted. Free from the Oval Office constraints, he later published a scathing memoir that painted Trump as impulsive, unmoored from international norms, and fixated on personal vendettas. Though the administration tried to squelch the book, claiming classified data was in it, a court allowed publication. Now, fresh scrutiny has come from what officials claim is intelligence gleaned abroad, suggesting Bolton may still be in possession of high-level secrets.

Meanwhile, Bolton condemns the government for striking at him with a suspect agenda. His defenders say he is merely a scapegoat targeted for going public about the White House’s foreign policy missteps. They dismiss talk of misused intelligence as a smokescreen—a convenient premise for kneecapping yet another administration critic.

In recent days, Bolton implied the real motive lies in his vocal opposition to the White House’s overtures toward Russian strongman Vladimir Putin. Indeed, the administration has cracked down on other critics in the intelligence and military spheres. Observers recall prior waves of ousters targeting voices in the Defense Department and intelligence community who refused to echo the new norms the White House set.

Ordinary Americans may look at this episode and wonder whether law enforcement is about evenhanded justice—or the raw exercise of power. The White House proclaims fidelity to law, condemning Bolton’s alleged leaks as national security threats. But each new dramatic raid or public firing raises persistent questions about who is being called to account and why. With the Bolton inquiry turning so public, it's clear that the White House is unafraid of the optics of a well-known figure in handcuffs if that’s its endgame. Whether Bolton faces actual charges or emerges vindicated, this is a standoff that reflects the new normal: No critic is above suspicion, and no White House foe is beyond the reach of a newly emboldened presidency.