U.S. Justice Department drops probe and civil case over John Bolton's book

Claims supported by this source

1. factalleged

   The Justice Department sued days before publication of Bolton's Trump memoir, seeking an injunction and a constructive trust over proceeds on the theory that he breached review agreements and included classified material. Bolton disputed the classification process and alleged political delay. The suit was a government allegation; the court's mixed preliminary ruling and later dismissal are separate entries.

   June 2021 closure of the criminal investigation and dismissal with prejudice of the civil suit

   Trump Justice Department sues to block Bolton's book and seize proceeds · Injunction denied; civil case and criminal investigation dismissed in 2021

2. factdocumented

   Judge Royce Lamberth denied the emergency injunction because hundreds of thousands of books had shipped and an order could not prevent disclosure. He nevertheless found Bolton likely failed to complete prepublication review and risked classified disclosure, potentially exposing himself to civil and criminal liability. The ruling was therefore not a merits vindication of Bolton; it denied an ineffective prior-restraint remedy while preserving serious adverse findings.

   June 2021 dismissal with prejudice of the merits case

   Court refuses to stop Bolton's book but says he likely exposed the country to harm · Preliminary injunction denied; merits case later dismissed

3. factdismissed

   The Justice Department closed its criminal investigation and agreed to dismiss with prejudice the civil suit seeking Bolton's book proceeds. Each side bore its own costs. The disposition ended that Trump-era enforcement action without a merits judgment that Bolton committed a crime; it also did not erase the preliminary judge's concern that classified information may have been published.

   Criminal-probe closure, civil dismissal, proceeds remedy, and final posture

   Justice Department drops Bolton book prosecution inquiry and civil proceeds suit · Civil action dismissed with prejudice; criminal investigation closed