Posted on 08/27/2025 6:47:09 PM PDT by Morgana
Today marks a watershed moment in the fight for constitutional rights and the protection of government whistleblowers. The ACLJ is proud to announce a complete and total victory for our client, FBI Special Agent Garret O’Boyle, who has been fully vindicated through a comprehensive settlement agreement with the DOJ made possible by President Trump’s Administration and his new leadership at the DOJ and FBI.
The DOJ has agreed to fully restore FBI Special Agent Garret O’Boyle with back pay, benefits, damages, and full reinstatement – including his security clearance – after years of persecution under the Biden Administration.
As we previously explained:
FBI Special Agent Garret O’Boyle has, on numerous occasions, followed federal whistleblower protocols in a lawful manner to expose corruption and deserves the full protection of federal whistleblower statutes and the United States Constitution. You’ll recall that Garret made headlines with his ominous congressional testimony . . . : “The FBI will crush you. This government will crush you and your family if you try to expose the truth about things that they are doing that are wrong. And we are all examples of that.”
In fact, without O’Boyle’s courage and willingness to come forward to Congress, we may never have known that the FBI was weaponizing threat tags to target pro-lifers in the wake of the Dobbs decision . . . that overturned Roe v. Wade. In the face of increasing violence against pro-life Americans and pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers, Biden’s FBI decided to target peaceful pro-lifers, and it was Special Agent O’Boyle who brought this travesty to light before Congress. Now it is Special Agent O’Boyle who finds himself the target of FBI retribution.
Now, the despicable actions of the Biden Administration’s DOJ and FBI – unconstitutionally targeting whistleblowers – have been reversed. This unprecedented victory was achieved through a powerful legal partnership between the ACLJ, Empower Oversight, and the Binnall Law Group. Together, our coalition of constitutional lawyers and government accountability experts assembled a formidable legal team in defense of a government whistleblower. The combined expertise, resources, and unwavering commitment of our efforts ultimately delivered complete vindication for Agent O’Boyle.
A Tale of Two Administrations
For nearly three years under the Biden Administration, the ACLJ and our partnership stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Garret O’Boyle as he faced unprecedented retaliation from a weaponized FBI. What began as one man’s courageous decision to blow the whistle on the Biden Administration concerning various shocking practices within Biden’s FBI has culminated in one of the most significant victories for government accountability and whistleblower protection in recent memory.
Our client put it this way:
I am also deeply thankful to Empower Oversight, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and the Binnall Law Group for their tireless representation and unshakable belief in my case. They fought against overwhelming odds to ensure my voice was heard. Their steadfast support, legal guidance, and public defense of my rights is not something I have taken for granted, and not something commonly seen in our era. Without these courageous allies, I would not have been able to withstand the government’s pressure or continue this fight for justice.
The settlement agreement with the Trump Administration, signed today, represents nothing short of complete vindication for Agent O’Boyle and validates every legal argument we have made on his behalf since this ordeal began under the previous Administration. Biden’s War on Whistleblowers
Garret O'Boyle’s story is one of courage in the face of the Biden Administration’s institutional persecution. As a decorated FBI Special Agent, O’Boyle witnessed the concerning weaponization of the Bureau under Biden’s leadership and made the difficult but principled decision to come forward as a whistleblower. O’Boyle was targeted for brutal retaliation by Biden’s politicized DOJ. Now that this agreement has been reached, we will proceed to dismiss our pending appeal of O’Boyle’s case at the Federal Circuit, where the case was transferred following our arguments at the D.C. Circuit.
On September 26, 2022, the Biden Administration’s FBI indefinitely suspended Agent O’Boyle without pay and revoked his security clearance – effectively ending his career and leaving his family without income. This wasn’t just an employment action; it was part of President Biden’s systematic campaign to silence truth-tellers and weaponize federal agencies against those who dared expose the Administration’s overreach.
As we have explained:
Special Agent O’Boyle is no ordinary federal employee. He’s a true American patriot who has dedicated his life to serving our nation. From 2006 to 2012, he served as an infantryman in the United States Army, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This is a man who has repeatedly put his life on the line for our country – and now he has been punished by his own government for trying to protect it from within.
On September 26, 2022, Agent O’Boyle’s world was turned upside down. Upon reporting to his new FBI duty station in Virginia, he was subjected to a surprise interrogation where he was falsely accused of leaking FBI information to the media. The truth? O’Boyle had made legally protected disclosures to Congress – exactly what whistleblower laws are designed to protect.
For more than two and a half years under Biden’s watch, Agent O’Boyle and his family endured financial hardship and professional exile while we fought tirelessly in federal court alongside Empower and the Binnall Group to restore his rights and his reputation against an Administration determined to destroy whistleblowers who threatened their narrative.
Trump Administration Delivers Justice
The dramatic change in Agent O’Boyle’s journey to justice was only possible thanks to President Trump’s return to office and his commitment to restoring constitutional governance to federal agencies – and appointing leaders who share his commitment to undoing past harms as much as possible. Where the Biden Administration sought to destroy Agent O’Boyle, the Trump Administration has chosen to deliver justice.
From the outset, the ACLJ’s legal team built our case around the Biden Administration’s systematic violations of constitutional principles and disregard for the statutory protections for government employees. The legal arguments in our brief, which have now been completely vindicated under President Trump’s leadership, included:
1. Statutory Authority: The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) has full authority to review whistleblower retaliation claims by FBI employees under federal law. Congress has explicitly granted the MSPB authority to hear FBI whistleblower cases through 5 U.S.C. § 7701. The government’s attempt to claim otherwise contradicts clear statutory language.
2. Constitutional Protection: The government cannot hide behind security clearance decisions to violate citizens’ First Amendment rights to free speech and Fifth Amendment due process rights. The Supreme Court’s decision in Webster v. Doe established that constitutional claims arising from security clearance decisions are reviewable by courts. The government cannot use Department of Navy v. Egan to shield constitutional violations.
3. Due Process Violations: The FBI failed to provide Agent O’Boyle with basic due process protections, including adequate notice of the charges against him. Federal employees, including FBI agents, have fundamental due process rights that cannot be ignored simply because national security is involved.
4. Sufficiency of Evidence: The government has failed to prove that its actions against Agent O’Boyle were justified rather than retaliatory. Whistleblowing to Congress is core political speech protected by the First Amendment, and the government cannot retaliate against such protected activity.
The settlement agreement represents everything we fought for and demonstrates the stark difference between the Biden and Trump Administrations:
Agent O’Boyle will be reinstated as an FBI Special Agent effective September 26, 2022 – the date of his original suspension under Biden – with his security clearance fully restored, and can return to duty. The FBI will provide complete back pay for the entire period of the Biden-era suspension, including all benefits. He has also been awarded significant damages for what happened to him. All records related to Agent O’Boyle’s removal and any allegations of misconduct from the Biden era will be rescinded and expunged from his personnel file. He will even have opportunities for further advancement. Reinstatement on this level is unprecedented. President Trump’s leadership and the team he appointed deserve high praise and gratitude. Historic Precedent: Trump Protects Whistleblowers
This victory extends far beyond Agent O’Boyle’s individual case and demonstrates commitment to protecting those who expose government wrongdoing – and restoring justice where it had been denied. It establishes a crucial precedent and sends a clear message that the days of Biden-style weaponization and retaliation are over.
The comprehensive nature of this settlement – including full reinstatement – demonstrates President Trump’s understanding that federal agencies must operate within constitutional bounds, not as political weapons against American patriots. It also demonstrates his commitment to honoring brave patriots like Agent O’Boyle, not punishing them.
Throughout this long legal battle against the Biden Administration’s persecution, the ACLJ never wavered in our commitment to Agent O’Boyle and the constitutional principles he represents. When Biden’s weaponized agencies sought to destroy a patriotic whistleblower, we stood firm in defense of constitutional governance.
Our legal team invested hundreds of hours fighting the Biden Administration’s authoritarian overreach, confident in the strength of our constitutional arguments and the righteousness of our cause. We understood from the beginning that this case was about more than one man’s career – it was about resisting the Biden Administration’s systematic weaponization of government against American patriots. A New Era of Constitutional Governance
This victory should serve as a clear warning to federal agencies and any remaining Deep State actors: The days of retaliating against whistleblowers with impunity are over. The ACLJ will continue to stand ready to defend government employees who courageously speak out against wrongdoing, and we will pursue these cases to complete victory, no matter how long it takes.
Today's settlement represents more than a legal victory – it is a triumph of constitutional principles over institutional power, of truth over political persecution, and of justice over Deep State retaliation. Agent Garret O'Boyle stood firm in the face of the Biden Administration’s enormous pressure and abuse, and his courage has been completely vindicated. The ACLJ is honored to have represented Agent O’Boyle throughout this fight.
Terrible that us taxpayers are on the hook for what Bidung and the rest of the flipping communists have done. This guy deserves what he gets, just angers me that such scumbags have had control for so long.
The FBI still needs to put the FIB in prison !
All the major players are still in place and waiting for an opportunity to further target others. Peter Strzck is still the face of the FBI.
Over $50 million.
We knew that the FBI were sadistic thugs by the events that surrounded the Richard Jewell case.
I’m glad that these whistleblowers are going to be made whole now.
Only trouble is that the next time the RATs gain power again, they’ll be merciless. They’ll rescind everything, plus probably throw them in prison. I figure they’ll spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders.
Starting to look more and more like early 20th century Russia or 17th century England.
Who specifically targeted him?
Name names.
Who are these people?
Where do they live?
Oddly the FBI had no personal animus against Richard Jewell. They wanted wrap up the case quickly with a "We got the man" statement and look like heroes. They did not give a damn about tactics and legality of their process.
Lord I hope not!
“They did not give a damn about tactics and legality of their process.”
They wanted a quick wrap-up, for sure. But if the reports and documentaries I’ve read/seen, they were brutal thugs to achieve their goal. Their tactics literally ruined his life. And it definitely was personal — for him.
Their actions weren’t political (IMO) in a left-wing - right-wing aspect. I was only speaking to their methods — harassment, bullying, character destruction.
You’re a lot more confident about Peter Strzok’s well-being than Peter Strzok himself is.
This is the thing to remember:
“Today marks a watershed moment in the fight for constitutional rights and the protection of government whistleblowers.”
FTA
........without agent O’Boyle’s courage and willingness to come forward to Congress, we may never have known that the FBI was weaponizing threat tags to target pro-lifers in the wake of the Dobbs decision . . . that overturned Roe v. Wade. In the face of increasing violence against pro-life Americans and pro-life Pregnancy Resource Centers, Biden’s FBI decided to target peaceful pro-lifers, and it was Special Agent O’Boyle who brought this travesty to light before Congress........
Reports and lawsuits filed during the Biden administration show that some pro-life activists and conservative politicians believe the administration has used the Department of Justice (DOJ) to unfairly target them.
Actions cited by critics of the Biden administration:
<><>Prosecution under the FACE Act. Critics accuse the Biden administration of using the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act to selectively target pro-life individuals while failing to prosecute attacks against pro-life centers. The FACE Act, which prohibits threats, obstruction, and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive health services, applies to all parties.
<><>Mark Houck case: An outspoken pro-life activist, Mark Houck, was charged with and later acquitted of a FACE Act violation in 2023. His case involved an incident in which he shoved a clinic volunteer who was harassing his son. The DOJ’s decision to pursue federal charges after local authorities had dismissed the case was seen by some as politically motivated.
<><>Lawsuit against Idaho’s abortion law. In 2022, the DOJ sued the state of Idaho over its abortion ban, arguing that it violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). The administration’s position was that hospitals must provide necessary stabilizing treatment, including abortion, in emergency situations, regardless of state law. Opponents, including Idaho Governor Brad Little, viewed this as federal overreach.
<><>Lack of condemnation for attacks: Some faith and pro-life leaders have criticized the administration for its “relative silence” following attacks on churches and pro-life organizations, contrasting it with the DOJ’s focus on prosecuting pro-life activists.
Following the Supreme Court’s 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Biden administration has consistently taken steps to protect and expand access to reproductive health services, including abortion and contraception. This includes issuing executive orders and taking other actions to safeguard access.
While Biden has publicly stated his personal discomfort with abortion due to his Catholic faith, he has also repeatedly said he will not impose his views on others. The administration’s policy positions have aligned with protecting access to abortion.
Note: President Biden’s personal and political stances on abortion have evolved over his long career, with his earlier positions being more aligned with some anti-abortion views. However, his current administration’s policies are focused on protecting and expanding abortion access.
p
That weasel should be in Federal prison.
That sort of attitude appears to be prevalent in Federal law enforcement. Recall that the BATF raid on the Branch Davidians was made so they could “look good” at budget time. They could have arrested Koresh safely on one of his many trips to town. Then shown up and knocked on the door for other things, vs. their “dynamic” entry.
That’s too high. What are we doing?
And that’s why there weren’t a slew of whistleblowers - they knew the whole government would come down on their heads - this settlement should hearten those who have derogatory information that has been being squashed...
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