Press Releases

Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Chair; and John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Ranking Member sent a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz asking him to investigate allegations of discrimination against women at the FBI’s Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Sixteen plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against the FBI alleging sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, and discrimination.

The letter is available here and below. 

June 26, 2019

The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz

Inspector General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Mr. Horowitz:

We write concerning disturbing allegations of discrimination in the training and selection of FBI agents at the FBI’s Training Academy in Quantico, VA.  On May 29, 2019, sixteen plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the FBI accusing the Bureau of running a “good-old-boy network” at Quantico and discriminating against women.   The suit alleges the women have been “sexually harassed, subjected to a hostile work environment and outdated gender stereotypes, constructively discharged, forced to resign under pressure or who perceived that continuing in the training would be a futile gesture, suffered retaliation, and/or suffered other types of harassment in whole or in part because of their gender since April 10, 2015.”   The suit also  alleges, “[i]n many cases, the harassment and discrimination take the form of gender-plus discrimination in that women of color or who have disabilities are excessively singled out for adverse treatment.”   The suit details numerous, specific instances of such discrimination at the Training Academy and states over 100 women were potentially subjected to this treatment. 

If true, such conduct cannot be tolerated.  The selection process employed by the FBI must be free from discrimination on the basis of factors such as gender and race, and individuals hired to these important positions should reflect the diversity of our country.  We must also ensure potential agents not be deterred from applying because they fear the possibility of such treatment. 

Although this issue is now pending in the courts with respect to certain instances of past discrimination, we believe these detailed allegations require an investigation into the FBI’s training and selection practices for new agents by your office.  Such an inquiry will help ensure appropriate changes be made as soon as possible, if necessary, based on your recommendations. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Jerrold Nadler

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee

Rep. Doug Collins

Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee

Rep. Karen Bass

Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Chair

Rep. John Ratcliffe

Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Ranking Member