A senior FBI official leading the investigation into the recent Trump assassination attempt faces scrutiny over past allegations of political bias.

The Washington Times reported that House lawmakers are set to examine the promotion of FBI Miami field office Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri, despite claims he retaliated against FBI personnel for their conservative views.

Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee's Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government on Wednesday.

The hearing will focus on Veltri and other senior bureau personnel following his office's involvement in investigating the foiled September 15 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Whistleblower Claims And FBI's Response

In November 2023, FBI whistleblowers alleged that Veltri, while serving as deputy assistant director of the FBI's security division, expressed strong anti-Trump sentiments and took retaliatory actions against FBI personnel supportive of the former president.

The FBI has contested these claims, stating that Veltri was selected through a competitive process to lead the Miami field office and is tasked with carrying out the FBI mission impartially.

Horowitz is expected to discuss his May 14 report, which criticized the FBI for revoking whistleblower agents' security clearances and pay without providing a timely appeals process.

Testimony From Whistleblower Advocates

The subcommittee will also hear from Tristan Leavitt, president of the watchdog group Empower Oversight, and Marcus Allen, a former FBI employee whose security clearance was reinstated after a 27-month suspension.

Leavitt submitted a detailed 29-page complaint to the Department of Justice Inspector General, presenting evidence of FBI retaliation against at least four Security Division employees who made internal protected whistleblower disclosures.

These disclosures involved alleged FBI abuses of the security clearance process in several cases, including those of Allen and Special Agent Garret O'Boyle.

Allegations Of Political Retaliation Within FBI

According to Leavitt's letter, Veltri's promotion to Miami SAC was delayed due to an investigation into his alleged retaliation against whistleblowers.

The letter also claims that Veltri revoked an FBI employee's security clearance for questioning the 2020 election outcome, suggesting the employee wasn't entitled to clearance due to their beliefs about the U.S. Constitution.

Under Veltri's leadership, the Security Division allegedly used a "Trump Questionnaire" containing inappropriate questions about FBI employees' political and religious views.

FBI's Stance On Investigation Integrity

The FBI has expressed full confidence in Veltri's leadership of the Miami Field Office and the investigation into the attempted assassination of former President Trump. An FBI statement emphasized:

This investigation is of the highest priority of the FBI. We are working closely with our partners and have hundreds of personnel from FBI Headquarters, Quantico, and multiple field offices supporting these efforts. All of us in the FBI are committed to conducting this investigation by the book, following the facts where they lead.

Implications For FBI Credibility

The allegations against Veltri and the FBI's handling of whistleblower complaints raise questions about the bureau's impartiality and internal processes.

These issues come at a critical time, as the FBI leads the high-profile investigation into the attempted assassination of a former president.

The upcoming congressional hearing may shed light on the bureau's practices and potentially influence public perception of its ability to conduct unbiased investigations.

House lawmakers are set to scrutinize the promotion of FBI Miami field office Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri amid allegations of anti-Trump bias. The investigation stems from whistleblower claims of retaliation against conservative FBI personnel. The FBI maintains confidence in Veltri's leadership and the integrity of the Trump assassination attempt investigation.