An FBI whistleblower testified in front of congressional leaders on Wednesday about how the federal agency weaponized the security clearance process to retaliate against him for probing the official January 6 narrative.

Marcus Allen worked out of the FBI’s Charlotte field office and was put on unpaid leave after he sent information about the January 6 Capitol riot that contested the official narrative. He was ultimately accused of promoting conspiratorial views and unreliable information. 

“Almost exactly three years ago today, I forwarded news articles to my superiors and others within the FBI about January 6, it was literally one of my top job duties to keep my colleagues informed about open source intelligence related to their cases,” Allen told the  Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. “As a result of simply doing my job, the FBI accused me of promoting conspiratorial views and unreliable information. The FBI questioned my allegiance to the United States, suspended my security clearance, suspended my pay, and refused to allow me to obtain outside employment or even accept charity.”

Allen has held a top-secret security clearance since 2001. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 2000 to 2005, was deployed to Kuwait, served two tours in Iraq, and was the Charlotte FBI field office employee of the year in 2019.

Despite his track record, he faced severe consequences for including links about the January 6 riot that were later flagged as “extremist propaganda” from “questionable sources.” The 27-month suspension of his security clearance and pay led to financial hardship as his family was put in indefinite limbo. Determined not to lose their home, Allen and his wife took early withdrawals from their retirement accounts. 

“It became clear that the FBI, with endless resources – the American people’s money, was trying to destroy me financially so that I would give up,” Allen proclaimed. 

Allen highlighted the systemic flaws that allowed the FBI to punish him without due process. He emphasized the importance of faith and standing up for truth while calling for better oversight and legal protections for future whistleblowers. His attorneys reached a settlement with the FBI earlier this year, and he now stands as the only FBI whistleblower to have his clearance actually restored.

Also from Charlotte, North Carolina Congressman Dan Bishop, R-8, criticized committee Democrats who continuously keyed in on Trump during the hearing in the lead-up to the November election. The Democrats concentrated on Project 2025 and said that government weaponization would be an issue if Trump is elected for a second term.  

“I’m just overwhelmingly troubled by the fact that no one seems to be able to do much about what has happened to you,” Bishop stated. “Everybody in the minority party, they’re fearing what Donald Trump will do in the next administration, while they sit here and they look at the guy who’s been persecuted by the FBI, and everybody in the room understands it.”

Bishop said he’s been to the Charlotte FBI field office and was impressed by Allen and the other whistleblowers who previously appeared before the subcommittee.

“The fact that there are servants like you who were borne up under persecution, that a lot of political leaders in this country do not care about, is the thing that heartens the American people,” Bishop said. “And I’m confident the American people will resolve the situation no matter how weak Washington is in response.” 

Despite Bishop’s hope, Allen disclosed that he has “no confidence that the FBI will rein in its own conduct.”

According to Allen, the Bureau used reprisal and fear to control the workforce, which he said has proven to be an effective tactic. 

He pointed to the FBI’s ability to overclassify information to stonewall it forever, saying there’s no legitimate timeframe to rein in the FBI. He urged Americans to vote rather than forfeit their right willingly. He also recommended Americans take proactive safety steps in today’s economic time, such as arming themselves, making friends with neighbors, stocking up on food, and praying.