The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently revoked the security clearances of three agents, Stephen Friend, Marcus Allen, and Brett Gloss, due to concerns regarding their involvement in or views on the January 6th Capitol riots. All three have been suspended as the bureau reviews their cases.
In a letter addressed to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, the FBI detailed its reasons for revoking these clearances. Friend's top-secret clearance was revoked after an investigation revealed that he had "espoused an alternative narrative about the events at the U.S. Capitol." Meanwhile, Allen's clearance was revoked earlier this month when it came to light that he failed to report vital information about a Jan. 6 suspect.
Both Friend and Allen were set to testify before a House Judiciary subcommittee this week in a hearing focused on allegations of misconduct within federal agencies such as the FBI.
Republicans have accused the bureau of discriminating against conservatives; however, recent revelations may cast doubt upon some GOP claims. The letter sent by the FBI stated that both agents lost their clearances partly because they sympathized with those responsible for storming Capitol Hill on January 6th.
Gloss denied witnessing any violence during his time within restricted areas around Capitol grounds but ultimately had his security clearance revoked over concerns related to his "allegiance to United States."
Thursday's highly anticipated testimony could be contentious given these developments surrounding key witnesses' credibility—the outcome remains uncertain as Democrats seize opportunities provided by this new information while Republicans continue arguing for leniency toward said individuals involved in what many view as an attack on democracy itself.