Amicus Brief
United States v. Bolton
A lawsuit to suppress the publication of John Bolton's memoir
On June 19, 2020, the Knight Institute and the ACLU submitted an amicus brief in United States v. Bolton, a lawsuit filed by the government against John Bolton seeking to suppress the publication of his book about his time in the White House. The suit argues that the publication of Bolton's book would reveal classified information and violate Bolton's prepublication-review obligations, and it asks the court to issue a prior restraint against Bolton, his publisher, and the bookstores that have copies of the book.
The Knight Institute and the ACLU’s brief argues that the government's request for an injunction against the publication of Bolton's book is subject to the strictest First Amendment scrutiny, and that it fails that scrutiny and should be rejected.
Status: On June 20, 2020, the district court denied the government's motion seeking an injunction against the publication of Bolton's book.
Press Statements
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Knight Institute Reacts to Ruling in U.S. v. Bolton
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Knight Institute and ACLU File Amicus Brief in U.S. v. Bolton
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Knight Institute Comments on U.S. v. Bolton
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Knight Institute Comments on Reports that White House Will Sue to Block Publication of John Bolton’s Book
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Knight Institute Comments on White House’s Review of John Bolton’s Upcoming Book
Analysis
Legal Filings
Click to highlight response chains
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KEY DOCUMENTS
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D.D.C.
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Opinion (denying government's motion)
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Knight Institute's Amicus Brief (with ACLU)
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Amended Complaint
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Bolton's Opposition and Motion to Dismiss
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Declaration of John Bolton
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Declaration of Michael Kirk
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Exhibits to Bolton and Kirk Declarations
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Declaration of Jonathan Karp
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Proposed Order
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Government's Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
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Declaration of Michael Ellis
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Declaration of William Evanina
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Declaration of Matthias Mitman (and exhibits)
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Proposed Order
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Complaint
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