WASHINGTON – Empower Oversight is pressing FBI Director Wray on the improper politicization of the agency’s Security Division (SecD). Following new allegations of retaliation against those in SecD who resisted weaponizing the security clearance process but were overruled by leadership, Empower Oversight has now demanded records related to the restoration of FBI whistleblower Marcus Allen’s security clearance.
Last week, a new whistleblower from inside SecD, the division of the FBI responsible for security clearances, made protected disclosures about improper politicization in a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz. Horowitz is expected to testify before the House Judiciary Committee this month, regarding his office’s recent Management Advisory Memo. The memo was prompted by the case of FBI employee Marcus Allen, who was recently vindicated following a lengthy improper suspension without pay due to SecD targeting him for retaliation. Allen had his clearance reinstated and the FBI agreed to restore all of his backpay and benefits for the entire 27-month ordeal.
In its new letter to the FBI Director, Empower Oversight president Tristan Leavitt writes, “The revelation that multiple FBI employees within SecD objected to its actions on Mr. Allen’s case—and in turn suffered their own retaliation for it—highlights just how dysfunctional SecD has become. We have also recently obtained shocking information about improper questions to FBI employees, who were compelled to inform on their coworkers’ political and medical beliefs. These facts paint a disturbing picture of how politicized the FBI, and SecD in particular, has become under your watch.”
In light of the new allegations and the upcoming hearing in the House Judiciary Committee, Empower Oversight submitted its Freedom of Information Act request for all documents that describe the basis for Mr. Allen’s clearance reinstatement of May 31, 2024. The whistleblower organization has asked for expedited processing due to the timeliness of the committee hearing.
For a copy of the letter to Wray, click here.