(New York, NY) – The White House yet again warned that former national security advisor John Bolton’s forthcoming book contains “classified material” and needs further review. PEN America’s senior director of free expression programs, Summer Lopez, said the following:

“It unfortunately comes as no surprise that the White House is seemingly manipulating and abusing the pre-publication review process to prevent or delay the publication of a book that could include unflattering information about the president. The president has previously used ‘formal’ legal threats and intimidation to try to keep critical books off the shelves. This time it appears he is willing to corrupt the legitimate pre-publication review process in order to censor a critic and deny the public their right to read the book and come to their own conclusions. This is likely just one more case in which the president has prioritized his own political interests over respect for freedom of expression.”