Classified Leaks, January 6, and Paying for Sex: Ranking Member Raskin Investigates DOJ Scheme to Pay Millions in Taxpayer Money to MAGA FBI Agents Disciplined for Egregious Misconduct

New Information Obtained by Judiciary Democrats Shows DOJ and Republican Senator’s Staff Violated Policy to Arrange Corrupt Taxpayer-Funded Payments and Reinstatement to Agents

Washington, D.C. (May 12, 2026)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, launched an investigation into a scheme inside the Department of Justice (DOJ) to direct millions of taxpayer dollars to FBI agents fired for serious misconduct, many of whom are aligned with Donald Trump.

 In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Ranking Member Raskin cited new evidence that DOJ leadership ordered the FBI to issue large cash payments, backpay, and reinstatements to agents previously terminated for leaking classified information, lying to investigators, refusing to pursue violent extremist groups, and participating in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

 “It has come to our attention that you have used your 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. 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,” wrote Ranking Member Raskin.

According to information obtained by the Committee, DOJ intervened in nearly a dozen cases to override the FBI’s disciplinary process and approve payments to agents whose claims had already failed through internal review and, in some instances, in court.

In one case, an agent entered a restricted area of the Capitol during the riot on January 6, 2021 and lied to FBI investigators about this criminal activity; he received a lump sum payment and hundreds of thousands of dollars in backpay. In another, an agent who disclosed sensitive information relating to reporters regarding Chinese intelligence activities received a lump sum payment. A separate agent who refused to investigate a violent white nationalist group and engaged in a commercial sex act while on official travel overseas was reinstated with compensation.

The letter identifies two common threads: the agents were outspoken supporters of President Trump, and they were represented by Empower Oversight, an organization tied to former staffers of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. Information obtained by the Committee also indicates that current Grassley staff participated in settlement discussions and instructed DOJ to pay the disgraced agents. Acting Attorney Blanche will potentially seek Senate confirmation before the committee Grassley chairs.

“The Treasury is not a personal checkbook for ideological payouts, and the misuse of millions of dollars in taxpayer resources for personal or political benefit is a felony,” concluded Ranking Member Raskin.

Ranking Member Raskin is demanding 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 is also seeking information on the role of senior DOJ officials who approved the payments and the extent of involvement by congressional staff.

Click here to read the letter.