Whistleblower Claims Secret FBI Move Against Trump in 2016 Campaign

FBI seal on an American flag background.

A whistleblower’s revelation alleges a secret FBI operation sabotaged Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, prompting a House Judiciary probe.

At a Glance

  • FBI allegedly targeted Trump campaign without authorization in 2015.
  • Undercover agents described as “honeypots” allegedly infiltrated the campaign.
  • The operation reportedly had no official case file and ended amidst exposure concerns.
  • House Judiciary Committee has received the allegations and intends to investigate.

Whistleblower Claims Secret Operation

A whistleblower claims an FBI operation targeted Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. Former FBI Director James Comey allegedly orchestrated this investigation in June 2015. The operation reportedly deployed undercover agents, referred to as “honeypots,” to embed themselves within the Trump campaign. The allegations suggest the FBI aimed not to probe a legitimate crime but to uncover incriminating evidence against Trump and his team members.

The FBI reportedly began the operation without opening an official case file. It was allegedly managed personally by Comey. The whistleblower identified other high-ranking officials such as Deputy Director Dave Bowdich and Assistant Director Paul Abbate as key players in this initiative, suggesting a concerted effort within the agency to proceed without conventional oversight or documentation.

High-Profile Individuals Targeted

One of the campaign figures reportedly targeted by the operation was campaign advisor George Papadopoulos. This effort aimed to entrap him under the guise of routine interactions. The whistleblower also claims that fear of exposure arose when a media outlet obtained a photo of an FBI agent involved. To stymie the exposure, the FBI’s press office allegedly issued misleading information, suppressing the publication.

“The FBI employee personally observed one or more employees in the FBI being directed to never discuss the operation with anyone ever again, which includes talking with other people involved in the operation.” – whistleblower disclosure

The whistleblower’s account further describes directives issued within the FBI, banning any discussion regarding this operation among employees. The House Judiciary Committee has received these allegations and has expressed its intention to investigate the claims further. Should these disclosures prove accurate, this would represent a significant deviation from FBI protocol.

Potential Fallout and Reactions

The implications of these allegations are profound, with potential ripple effects impacting public trust in federal institutions. Former FBI assistant director Chris Swecker has stated that if substantiated, these findings point to a “booming, egregious violation” of established protocols and ethical boundaries within the FBI.

The unfolding investigation by the House Judiciary Committee will determine how and why this operation was potentially conducted, scrutinizing the roles of those involved. This probe will seek to uncover whether similar tactics may have been employed elsewhere or are indicative of broader systemic issues within the agency.

Sources:

  1. FBI infiltrated Trump campaign with ‘honeypots,’ whistleblower says: Report