(UnitedVoice.com) – Republicans have expressed concern about how the FBI has operated for years. For decades, dating back to J. Edgar Hoover’s years as director, the agency has gained a reputation for spying on Americans. Hoover led the agency from 1924 to 1972 and was known for keeping files on high-profile citizens.
In recent years, Conservatives and Liberals have accused the federal agency of targeting them. Conservatives believe the agency targeted former President Donald Trump and his allies. Now, they’re hoping to severely cut the FBI’s budget.
Budget Cut
On July 12, Republicans passed an appropriations bill through the House Committee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. The legislation would reduce the FBI’s funding to $10.3 billion. That is down from $11.3 billion, a billion-dollar decrease. Just under half of that, $400 million, would come from salary cuts.
The bill would also prohibit the federal law enforcement agency from investigating cases lawmakers believe are politically sensitive without bipartisan members of the Department of Justice overseeing the probe. Agents accused of retaliating against whistleblowers would no longer have their salaries funded, and neither will anyone who refuses to comply with a Congressional subpoena. The bureau would not be allowed to label any communications as “misinformation.” Anyone accused of violating an employee’s First Amendment rights would also see their pay suspended.
Additionally, the bill prohibits the FBI from using money to mandate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training. Republicans in the House also added similar language to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Alleged Retaliation
The Epoch Times reported Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) said Republicans have uncovered a “pattern” of politicization and retaliation against whistleblowers within the Department of Justice.
In one of the cases of alleged retaliation, FBI agent Garret O’Boyle claimed the agency moved him across the country and then suspended him without pay. He also accused the FBI of refusing to give him his personal belongings, including his kids’ clothing. The bureau claims he was suspended because he leaked sensitive information about an investigation to Project Veritas.
Former Agent Stephen Friend was also suspended because he allegedly refused to investigate the people who broke into the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He alleged the agency violated the Constitution by investigating those who trespassed on the building to stop the election results from being certified.
Cammack said the suspension of the two men was the “weaponization of [the] government” and slammed the federal agency for how they were being treated when they served the country.
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