NC Whistleblower Tells Congress: 'The FBI Weaponized the Security Process to Destroy Me Financially'

An FBI whistleblower testified before congressional leaders on Wednesday that the federal agency weaponized the security clearance process to retaliate against him for exposing the official Jan. 6 narrative.

Marcus Allen worked at the FBI's Charlotte field office and was placed on unpaid leave after providing information about the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection that contradicted the official account. Ultimately, he was accused of spreading conspiratorial views and unreliable information.

“Almost exactly three years ago today, I forwarded news articles about January 6th to my superiors and others at the FBI. “It was literally one of my primary responsibilities to keep my colleagues informed about open source information on their cases,” Allen told the Subcommittee on Arming the Federal Government. “The FBI accused me of spreading conspiratorial views and spreading unreliable information for simply doing my job. The FBI questioned my loyalty to the United States, revoked my security clearance, suspended my wages, and refused to allow me to accept outside employment or even charity work.”

Allen has had a top secret security clearance since 2001. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 2000 to 2005, deployed to Kuwait, completed two tours in Iraq, and was named the 2019 FBI Field Agent of the Year in Charlotte.

Despite his track record, he faced serious consequences for including links about the January 6 riots that were later labeled “extremist propaganda” from “questionable sources.” The 27-month suspension of his security clearance and salary resulted in financial hardship as his family was in limbo indefinitely. Determined not to lose their home, Allen and his wife made early withdrawals from their retirement account.

“It became clear that the FBI was using endless resources – the American people's money – to try to destroy me financially so that I would give up,” Allen announced.

Allen pointed out the systemic flaws that allowed the FBI to punish him without due process. He emphasized the importance of faith and standing up for the truth while calling for better oversight and legal protection for future whistleblowers. His lawyers reached a settlement with the FBI earlier this year, and he is now the only FBI whistleblower whose clearance has actually been restored.

Congressman Dan Bishop, R-8, also from Charlotte, North Carolina, criticized Democrats on the committee for continually focusing on Trump during hearings leading up to the November election. Democrats focused on Project 2025, saying arming the government would be a problem if Trump were elected to a second term.

“I'm just deeply disturbed that no one seems to be able to do anything about what happened to you,” Bishop said. “Everyone in the minority party is afraid of what Donald Trump is going to do in the next administration as they sit here looking at the guy being pursued by the FBI, and everyone in the room understands it.”

Bishop said he was at the FBI field office in Charlotte and was impressed by Allen and the other whistleblowers who previously appeared before the subcommittee.

“The fact that there are servants like you who have endured persecution and who many political leaders in this country do not care about is what encourages the American people,” Bishop said. “And I am confident that the American people will resolve the situation, no matter how weak Washington’s response.”

Despite Bishop's hope, Allen announced that he has “no confidence that the FBI will rein in its own behavior.”

Allen said the FBI used retaliation and fear to control the workforce, which he said proved to be an effective tactic.

He cited the FBI's ability to overclassify information to the point of blocking it forever and said there was no legitimate time frame to rein in the FBI. He urged Americans to vote rather than voluntarily giving up their right to vote. He also recommended that Americans take proactive safety measures in today's economic times, such as arming themselves, befriending neighbors, stockpiling food and praying.