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For a bureaucrat, John Bolton cuts a pretty memorable figure. An überhawk who helped architect George W. Bush’s disastrous war in Iraq, Bolton also flamed out of Donald Trump’s first administration, wrote a bestselling memoir with a title inspired by the musical Hamilton, and sports a trademark walrus mustache. Now the former top Republican official can add another distinction to his résumé: felon. Bolton pleaded guilty this morning to mishandling classified government information. On the surface, this looks like yet another instance of a Trump antagonist falling victim to a politicized Justice Department. But the story isn’t quite that simple.

Rewind. What exactly did Bolton do?

Last year, a federal grand jury indicted Bolton on 18 counts. Prosecutors accused him of sharing national defense information with people—reportedly his wife and daughter—who helped him with his aforementioned memoir, The Room Where It Happened. The charges collectively threatened Bolton with decades in prison, and he initially fought them. But after striking a plea deal, he admitted to one count of illegally retaining classified information. Under the deal, he’ll pay a $2.25 million fine and face up to five years behind bars.

OK, but Bolton is a powerful guy. Is he........

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