The FBI has restored the security clearance of a former FBI agent who claimed the bureau engaged in whistleblower retaliation against him after he passed along information that challenged the “official narrative” of the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021.
Marcus Allen, a staff operations specialist at the FBI’s field office in Charlotte, North Carolina, who lost access to “Top Secret” materials before he testified to Congress last year, received notice of the decision in a May 31 letter from the bureau.
“My decision to reinstate your security clearance is based upon a determination that the original security concerns have been investigated and have been sufficiently mitigated,” a human resources official wrote to Allen.
Empower Oversight, one of the groups representing Allen as he fought for reinstatement, said a settlement had separately been reached that restored 27 months of back pay and benefits the FBI withheld after Allen’s initial suspension in February 2022. Allen resigned from the FBI effective Monday.
“While I feel vindicated now in getting back my security clearance, it is sad that in the country I fought for as a Marine, the FBI was allowed to lie about my loyalty to the U.S. for two years,” said Allen.
“Unless there is accountability, it will keep happening to others,” Allen added. “Better oversight and changes to security clearance laws are key to stop abuses suffered by whistleblowers like me.”
Along with two other FBI whistleblowers — former FBI special agents Garret O’Boyle and Steve Friend — Allen appeared before a House panel last May. The FBI revealed to Congress that all three of their security clearances had been revoked just before the hearing took place.
In his testimony, Allen claimed that the bureau retaliated against him as a whistleblower after he shared with superiors and others information that “questioned the official narrative” of the events of January 6.
Empower Oversight has noted Allen forwarded news articles “raising concerns” that FBI Director Christopher Wray had been untruthful during testimony before the Senate “regarding whether the FBI had infiltratedgroups involved in the Capitol riot.”
The Daily Wire reached out to the FBI seeking comment on Allen getting back his security clearance.
“While we can’t comment on the specifics of any settlement, both parties agreed to resolve this matter without either admitting wrongdoing,” the FBI said in a statement.
“Any allegation that the Director lied to Congress is false,” the bureau continued. “The FBI takes seriously its responsibility to FBI employees who make protected disclosures under whistleblower regulations, and we are committed to ensuring they are protected from retaliation.”
The Department of Justice’s inspector general recently put out a memothat found the FBI lacked a process allowing employees, including Allen, whose security clearance has been suspended for more than one year to file a retaliation complaint, and offered recommendations.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) released a statement calling the FBI’s decision to reinstate Allen’s security clearance a “total vindication for a great patriot.” He added the FBI “must also reinstate the security clearances of whistleblowers Garret O’Boyle and Stephen Friend.”
Post a Comment