Ex-FBI employee regains security clearance after raising concerns about politicization
- Former FBI employee's security clearance, revoked previously, has been reinstated.
- The employee had spoken out about alleged politicization within the FBI.
- The restoration of security clearance suggests a possible resolution to the issue.
A former FBI employee named Marcus Allen spoke to Congress about his concerns that the FBI was mixing politics with its work. He, along with two others, said the FBI was unfairly targeting conservatives. Marcus had his security clearance taken away because the FBI was worried his opinions about the Capitol attack in January 2021 could affect his job. But after looking into the situation, the FBI decided to give his security clearance back. They also settled with Marcus, giving him back pay and benefits for the time he was suspended from work. Marcus resigned from the FBI and complained to the Justice Department's Inspector General that his suspension was in retaliation for being a whistleblower. The Inspector General found that the FBI didn't have a good process for employees to challenge a suspension before it was finalized, which could leave employees without pay for a long time. The FBI and Marcus agreed to settle the issue without admitting fault. The FBI said it takes seriously its duty to protect employees who report concerns under whistleblower rules.