The Security Division Can Not Be Trusted To Vet Nominations [WATCH]

A whistleblower within the FBI has alleged that the bureau’s Security Clearance Division (SecD) is deeply politicized and cannot be trusted to handle security clearances for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees.

The claims were detailed in a protected disclosure to the House Judiciary Committee, which was reviewed by The Washington Times.

The whistleblower warned that the division has been “contaminated by the political agendas of [Security Division] officials and other executives in the FBI” and that the process is influenced by the same leadership Trump has vowed to overhaul.

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Specifically, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy Director Paul Abbate are said to have access to all background investigations conducted by SecD.

“FBI SecD has been politicized, and both Director [Christopher] Wray and Deputy Director [Paul] Abbate have the ability to examine the background investigations of anyone who is having a security clearance done,” the disclosure stated.

It also accused SecD of using the security clearance process to retaliate against employees for political reasons, including conservative or pro-Trump views.

The allegations come as Trump’s transition team has chosen to bypass traditional FBI background checks for some nominees, instead relying on private companies for vetting.

The decision reflects skepticism toward the bureau’s objectivity and aligns with Trump’s unconventional Cabinet picks, such as Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services.

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“WHO IS RUNNING THE COUNTRY?”

Keep bringing the fire, Matt pic.twitter.com/NAAbiVWAzq

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 24, 2024

The whistleblower alleged that SecD denied clearances to individuals for reasons tied to their personal beliefs or political actions, including attendance at Trump rallies, refusal to take COVID-19 vaccines, and conservative Christian views. “Under Wray and Abbate, SecD refused clearances to U.S. military veterans, employees who refused to get COVID shots, employees who attended Trump rallies, and employees with conservative Christian beliefs,” the disclosure stated.

Additionally, the whistleblower claimed that SecD’s practices allow sensitive information obtained during background checks to be shared with the Biden-Harris administration under the guise of “national security.”

“Anyone providing information to the FBI for background investigations should assume that the information, along with all associated electronic inquiries, will be provided to Deputy Director Abbate, Director Wray, or even officials in the current White House administration,” the disclosure warned.

Concerns were also raised about the potential for this information to be used for referrals to state authorities for prosecution, creating what the whistleblower described as a conflict of interest for FBI leadership aiming to protect their positions.

In a statement to The Washington Times, the FBI defended its role in conducting security clearance background checks, emphasizing its adherence to legal guidelines. “The FBI serves as an investigative service provider and does not adjudicate or render an opinion on the results of the background investigation,” the bureau stated.

The FBI’s role in vetting presidential appointees, which has been in place since the Eisenhower administration, includes conducting interviews and reviewing potential conflicts of interest, criminal histories, and foreign ties.

Some of Trump’s nominees face their own controversies.

Gaetz has been under investigation by the Justice Department for alleged sex trafficking, though no charges were filed, and a House Ethics Committee probe into alleged misconduct concluded upon his resignation from Congress.

Gabbard has faced criticism for positions seen as favorable to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kennedy has drawn attention for his vaccine skepticism and personal controversies, including an extramarital sexting scandal.

Despite these challenges, Trump’s team is pressing forward with its nominees, asserting the need for significant reforms to federal agencies, including the FBI.

As Trump prepares to take office, the politicization of the security clearance process and the controversies surrounding his Cabinet picks are likely to remain key points of contention.

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