House Judiciary Committee Investigates DOJ Payments to Former FBI Agents

The House Judiciary Committee’s Democratic panel sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche alleging the Justice Department authorized over $1 million in settlements for former FBI agents dismissed for misconduct.

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The DOJ’s settlement authority is routine, yet the panel says these payments diverge from standard practice after heightened scrutiny of the FBI’s Jan. 6 Capitol breach handling and alleged politicized investigations.

The Hill

Payments exceed $1 million, including $63,500 to an agent who entered the Capitol’s restricted zone on Jan. 6 and misled investigators, and $15,000 to an agent who resigned after his clearance was suspended for allegedly leaking classified information on Chinese intelligence. Additional undisclosed settlements were made to other former agents. The DOJ also paid $1.25 million each to Michael Flynn and Carter Page.

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Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote that the payments are “an astounding and lawless abuse of government office and taxpayer dollars,” stressing agents were disciplined for misconduct, not protected whistleblowing. The Justice Department and FBI declined comment. Empower Oversight, representing the former agents, said the settlements are routine and its clients qualify as whistleblowers, noting pending FBI complaints.

The Hill

• “You have now proceeded behind closed doors to order the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to pay millions of dollars to former FBI agents who were suspended, fired, and had their clearances revoked for criminal activity, major breaches of national security, or violations of the standards of conduct and professionalism required of law enforcement agents. All of these handouts constitute an astounding and lawless abuse of government office and taxpayer dollars,” — Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee

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• “Political appointees from your office, as well as staffers to Sen. [Chuck] Grassley, have personally involved themselves in making these dumbfounding funding decisions.” — Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee

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• “This letter is more a toddler’s temper tantrum than serious congressional oversight. It’s filled with shameless lies about our clients that would get him sued if he wasn’t protected by the Constitution’s Speech or Debate privilege,” — Tristan Leavitt, President, Empower Oversight

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• “It is common practice for federal agencies to settle legal or administrative complaints against them, which (as Empower Oversight made public on March 19, 2025) virtually all of the whistleblowers had against the FBI at the time of the settlements,” — Tristan Leavitt, President, Empower Oversight

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Empower Oversight called the letter a “toddler’s temper tantrum,” arguing the settlements follow standard agency practice and do not constitute fund misuse.

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The panel says agents were disciplined for misconduct; Empower Oversight labels them whistleblowers. The Justice Department has not disclosed the total number of agents or payment criteria.

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FBI Director Kash Patel will testify before Senate appropriators, where lawmakers may seek settlement details and consider reforms to the FBI’s clearance and disciplinary processes.

The Hill