Hearings held by the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government typically prove to be a potent mix of fascinating, frustrating, maddening, and hilarious. The latest installment in the series of hearings hosted by the subcommittee on Wednesday continued in that vein.
The hearing was billed as follows:
The hearing will examine how the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has used its security clearance adjudication process to purge its ranks of conservatives and whistleblowers, and unlawfully punish those with views contrary to FBI leadership.
The witnesses included DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz, Empower Oversight President Tristan Leavitt, FBI Whistleblower Marcus Allen, and former Assistant US Attorney Glenn Kirschner.
Marcus Allen, some may recall, is the former FBI Staff Operations Specialist who suffered retaliation by the agency after daring to question some of the agency's actions. He testified before the subcommittee in May of 2023 and recently (in June of 2024) received some vindication regarding his claims, reaching a settlement with the agency, though it appears his awarded back pay has yet to be disbursed to him.
FBI Whistleblower Marcus Allen Vindicated: Security Clearance Reinstated,
Full Back Pay Awarded
Allen has been put through the wringer, to put it mildly. In fact, as recently cited by the Empower Oversight letter directed to Jim Jordan (R-OH), chair of the subcommittee:
According to our SecD SSA client, DAD Veltri made comments suggesting Mr. Allen was delusional for referring to his religious belief instead of secular, moral or ethical reasons for disclosing wrongdoing. The implication to others in SecD was that DAD Veltri believed Mr. Allen’s Christian beliefs as a devout Catholic were a reason to revoke his access to classified information.
On Wednesday, Allen addressed not just the subcommittee but the attack on his faith, demonstrating his determination to lean into it, rather than let others' mockery of it deter him.
Allen's testimony was powerful, and he was clearly moved as he delivered it. The full prepared remarks may be found here, but I want to highlight a portion of them:
Despite the stress and uncertainty, I have never once regretted standing up for truth. In fact, I am actually grateful for the experience. If you do not worship God, then you will worship something else. You can either serve God or you can serve mammon, but you cannot serve both.
While we lost material items, we gained more important things. We have stored up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20). Our faith has increased, and we have seen the hand of God move in our lives in unexpected ways. What we have gained has far outweighed what was lost.
John Adams noted that the framework of our country was built for a moral and religious people and unfit for the governance of any other. James Madison notes the duty to honor God is precedent both in order of time and degree of obligation to the claims of civil society. Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the universe.
I recently learned about comments made by Mr. Jeffrey Veltri suggesting I was delusional for believing in and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. Mr. Veltri currently serves as Special Agent in Charge of the Miami field office, but at the time he was an executive at Security Division, overseeing security clearance decisions. I’d like to address Mr. Veltri. Sir, you may disparage and insult me if you wish, but you should not mock God. It is an insult to the infinite dignity of God Who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and bad for the health of your soul (Matthew 12:31).
But this is not about me. It’s much bigger than that. I am hopeful the truth of what happened will be fully revealed and deter the FBI from doing the same injustice to others.
While I would not wish this harm on anyone else, I must plead with other employees who have witnessed wrongdoing that they find courage to speak up. You are not alone, nor will you ever be. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalms 139:5-7) I have been blessed to be supported by God’s grace, men and women of goodwill, other whistleblowers, the charity of the American people, many prayers, and great attorneys along the way, such as Tristan Leavitt and Jason Foster of Empower Oversight.
Potential whistleblowers: please do not be silenced by the FBI’s mistreatment. We are all here to support you if you choose to come forward. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Equally important is the awareness and involvement of the American people.
Throughout the hearing, which may be viewed in its entirety below, Allen maintained his composure and calmly responded to questions, even those posed sourly by Democrats. Toward the end (around the 2:22:00 mark), Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) noted the continued efforts of the Democrats to focus all energy on Donald Trump and "Project 2025" while steadfastly ignoring the outright persecution of Allen and others under the current administration. He then invited Allen to share any additional comments, to which Allen replied:
"Yes, sir. I would just say that I consider the hearing today my last act of service as a public servant for the United States of America, and I'll give you my professional opinion. I was an intel professional for our country for many years, and I would give recommendations and I would also look at indications and warnings. So, I would offer this to the American people as my warning to them:
"This is a warning — to the American people, I say: I personally have no confidence that the FBI will rein in its own conduct. I have been persecuted, along with Garret (O'Boyle), Steve (Friend) and Kyle (Seraphin), and countless other whistleblowers. It is my opinion that the Bureau used reprisal and fear to control the workforce. It has been a seemingly effective tactic.
"I personally believe that there are no current, effective checks and balances against them conducting lawless action with any type of correction in a legitimate timeframe. I welcome the work of the IG, but I think any type of lawless action, there's no legitimate timeframe to rein them back in. Their ability to over-classify information can allow them to stonewall forever.
"To the American people, you have a duty as a citizen to vote, and I strongly urge you to do so. It's how you participate in the American experience. I know people have doubts about election integrity, but you must vote — it is your claim. Stake your claim, and don't forfeit it willingly. Have your voice heard.
"My other recommendations are in the natural order: First, vote. The second is the Second Amendment — arm yourself and know how to defend yourself. Make three to four friends in your neighborhood and promise to come to each other's mutual aid in times of hardship. And during the Great Depression, people stocked up a pantry. So, I think that's a good practice, especially in our economic times, to make sure you have three to four months of food. As a person of faith, I'd say pray the rosary, go to the First Friday devotions — that's for everybody, all my brothers and sisters of all faiths, and I know I'm Catholic — and read the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and live it every day."
Delusional? Or prescient and wise. Special Agent Veltri may see it differently, but I'd go with the latter.
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