Trump’s Revenge? Nearly Half of Voters Say Bolton Probe Is Political Payback

A new Rasmussen Reports survey finds that 48% of likely U.S. voters believe the FBI’s investigation into former National Security Adviser John Bolton is more about Donald Trump settling scores than protecting national security. Only 38% think the probe is truly about defending America, while 14% remain unsure. The raids on Bolton’s home and office last week have sparked sharp partisan divides: nearly seven in ten Democrats view the case as Trump’s revenge, compared to about two-thirds of Republicans who see it as a legitimate national security matter. The poll also shows that 46% of voters believe the investigation could lead to criminal charges, with younger voters and Hispanics most likely to expect Bolton will face charges. The survey of 1,190 likely voters was conducted August 24–26, 2025, with a margin of error of ±3%.