Two former FBI agents who testified before a Republican-led House subcommittee about alleged political retaliation have admitted receiving money from Kash Patel, a former aide to Donald Trump. The admission came during a hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponisation of the Federal Government, chaired by Jim Jordan.
Steven Friend, who resigned from the FBI and now works for a pro-Trump think tank, and Garrett O'Boyle, a suspended special agent, claimed they were singled out for their conservative beliefs and denied whistleblower protections. Both alleged they made protected disclosures about the bureau's handling of cases linked to the January 6 Capitol attack.
During questioning by Democratic Representative Daniel Goldman, O'Boyle confirmed he knew Patel and had received money from him or his organisation. Friend acknowledged that Patel gave him a donation in November, saying he was “an unpaid, indefinitely suspended man trying to feed his family” at the time.
The hearing focused on claims that the FBI unlawfully retaliated against whistleblowers. Friend also alleged excessive force was used against a January 6 defendant, while O'Boyle's security clearance was suspended in September last year pending review.
The revelations come as Patel has been involved in the ongoing Justice Department investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents. He testified before a federal grand jury in October after receiving limited immunity.
