3 highlights from House hearing on Biden DOJ 'weaponization'

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter Friday, February 10, 2023

Former FBI agent grilled by Democrat for quoting his book

One of the witnesses on the second panel during Thursday's hearing included former FBI agent Thomas Baker, who authored the 2022 book The Fall of the FBI: How a Once Great Agency Became a Threat to Democracy. Baker served as an FBI agent for 33 years. 

The FBI veteran argued that Americans "have lost faith" in the bureau, claiming that the FBI's "culture" changed following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Baker called the subcommittee "a step in the right direction," expressing hope that its work will be bipartisan and help bring the agency closer to its status as an "agency of the rule of law."

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Goldman questioned Baker, noting that the FBI veteran's tenure in the agency was over 20 years ago and that many things have likely changed since his time there. The Democratic representative also felt Baker's opening statement relied too much on quotes from the former agent's book. 

"Next time, make sure you give us a heads up, and we can set up a table for you to have a book signing after this," Goldman said.

Parker, a former FBI agent who recently left the agency, argued that the bureau has become politicized. She cited an incident where she witnessed agents wearing FBI vests kneeling with Black Lives Matter protestors in 2020. 

"Although agents have their First Amendment rights, they are not at liberty to publicly express any potential political support while on duty wearing official FBI gear," she argued, calling it "appalling" that the agents were not reprimanded for their actions. 

According to Parker, "low morale" has taken root in the FBI due to the bureau lowering eligibility requirements, citing these changes as a reason she ultimately left her job.