Raskin Demands DOJ Records on FBI Whistleblower Settlements Approved Under Trump

Ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin launched an investigation into allegations that the Department of Justice paid millions of dollars to pro-Trump FBI agents fired during the Biden administration. The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on or before May 12, 2026, demanding records on the settlements.

Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the oversight of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. In the letter he stated that the agents were fired for serious misconduct under President Biden but then rewarded under President Trump for being so-called whistleblowers.

Raskin detailed that the agents were terminated for leaking classified information, lying to investigators, refusing to pursue violent extremist groups and participating in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

He added that the agents are outspoken supporters of President Trump and were represented by attorneys at Empower Oversight, a nonprofit organization specializing in whistleblower protection and government oversight. "All of these handouts constitute an astounding and lawless abuse of government office and taxpayer dollars," Raskin said.

He further charged that the DOJ used its office to improperly shower government cash on Donald Trump’s political operatives and sycophants, beginning with corrupt seven-figure settlements for disgraced Trump officials Michael Flynn and Carter Page who had already lost their cases against the government in court.

The DOJ ordered the 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, Raskin stated.

The committee’s Democrats obtained evidence that the DOJ intervened almost a dozen times to overrule the FBI’s disciplinary process and approve payments to agents whose claims had already failed through internal review and, in some instances, in court.

Nearly a dozen FBI whistleblowers who say they endured retaliation during the Biden administration inked agreements last August with the FBI and Justice Department to have their security clearances reinstated and collect back pay.

The 10 whistleblowers and their attorneys negotiated their settlement agreements with the Justice Department and FBI to restore their law enforcement credentials and receive compensation for the time they spent indefinitely suspended without pay. Empower Oversight made public on March 19, 2025 that virtually all of the whistleblowers had legal or administrative complaints against the FBI at the time of the settlements.

Raskin demanded that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche turn over records including all communications among DOJ, the FBI, and outside groups involved in the settlements, as well as a full accounting of all agents who received payments, reinstatements, or restored security clearances.

The committee’s Democrats are seeking information on the roles of senior DOJ officials who approved the payments and on the extent of congressional staff involvement. The Washington Times reported these details in an article published on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Empower Oversight responded sharply to the letter.

"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," the organization stated.