The 2020 examination of John Bolton's actions reveals insights regarding the current investigation into the matter.

John Bolton, the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, finds himself under investigation once again, this time by the Justice Department. The probe revolves around allegations that Bolton shared classified information with people not authorized to have it.

The investigation was reinitiated by FBI Director Kash Patel, and the search of Bolton's house and office took place last week. The move comes after the government discovered emails that showed Bolton was working on his book manuscript while still at the White House and was sharing early portions with his representatives.

The initial 2020 criminal investigation into Bolton originated from allegations that he shared portions of his book draft with unauthorized individuals before obtaining final approval from the government. The early manuscript portions included material that was restricted by federal law governing classified documents.

Despite these allegations, a federal judge in Washington, DC, refused to block the publication of the book due to Bolton's First Amendment protections and the fact that book sellers already had the manuscript. The book, released in June 2020, contained a series of shocking allegations against President Trump.

Bolton's attorney initially maintained that he didn't believe he needed prepublication review for the manuscript. However, after leaving the White House, Bolton found a publisher for his book and used his private attorney to submit his manuscript to a review by the National Security Council.

The government's reviewing team disagreed with Bolton and worked with him to edit the manuscript without confirming in writing he was authorized to publish. Two days before the book was printed, a National Security Council lawyer informed Bolton's attorney that the manuscript still contained classified information.

It is not clear whether investigators have found new information to prompt the new investigation or have any evidence to sustain possible charges. The criminal grand jury investigation resulted in no charges and was closed during the early months of the Biden administration.

The specter of political interference hung over the Bolton probe due to well-publicized antipathy between Bolton and Trump, and because career officials at the White House intended to approve publication before political appointees intervened to stop final approval.

Early in the Biden administration, federal prosecutors abandoned the criminal probe and dismissed a separate civil lawsuit, bringing no charges. At the time the cases were dropped, Bolton's attorney claimed the Biden administration had "tacitly acknowledged that President Trump and his White House officials acted illegitimately."

Judge Royce Lamberth of the DC District Court wrote that Bolton likely jeopardized national security by disclosing classified information. However, the Biden administration dropped the lawsuit before Lamberth was able to fully weigh the facts of the case.

As the investigation continues, the public awaits the outcome, with questions lingering about the handling of classified information and the potential for political influence in the case.