The FBI says its searches of Bolton's home and office was authorized by a court but declined to provide further details. Bolton is a frequent critic of the president.

Robert Hill called in sick to work when he heard about what was happening in his Bethesda, Maryland. Every major cable news network was broadcasting from a house just a few streets away, but Hill had to see it for himself.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe provided FBI Director Patel the intelligence that was the basis of the search warrant , a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.