The Trump administration filed a lawsuit to prevent John Bolton from publishing his memoir about his tenure in the Trump administration.
The book, titled “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir” is already a best seller in at least 3 Amazon categories.
The lawsuit alleges Bolton’s forthcoming book includes classified information that could compromise national security if it is published before being reviewed by the federal government.
The lawsuit, a civil action filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that Bolton risks “compromising national security by publishing a book containing classified information — in clear breach of agreements he signed as a condition of his employment.”
The lawsuit asks the court to order Bolton to both complete a prepublication review process that has stalled, while stopping the publication and dissemination of his book “as currently drafted.”
It also seeks an order “establishing a constructive trust on any profits obtained from the disclosure or dissemination” of the book, effectively tying up any proceeds Bolton would obtain from its release.
Bolton’s attorneys said they are reviewing the complaint.
A top Justice Department official announced his resignation after making the lawsuit his final act:
A top Justice Department official announced his plan to step down soon after appearing in a civil lawsuit against John Bolton to stop the publication of his upcoming book.
Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt, the head of the Civil Division, sent an email to employees on Tuesday that declared his intention to step aside on July 3.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for you because I have personally witnessed the manner in which you have carried out your responsibilities. And you are, after all, the greatest litigation force on earth!” he wrote.
The note came hours after his name appeared in the Justice Department lawsuit that was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, according to Law.com. The lawsuit argues that Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, breached nondisclosure agreements and is risking national security with the disclosure of classified material in his book that is due out on July 23.
Bolton’s book is set to be released on June 23rd.
