Famed FBI whistleblower from 9-11 era urges Congress to protect agents reporting wrongdoing now

Former FBI whistleblower and retired special agent Bassem Youssef is urging Congress to do everything in its power to protect agents coming forward now to report improper political meddling in investigations. 

"I hope to God that Congress takes note and protects them," Youssef told the Just the News, Not Noise television show on Wednesday night. "When you have one whistleblower on a major issue, I think we should take note. But when you have many whistleblowers, I think we have no choice but to take note and see what can be done about the issue."

At least 20 FBI whistleblowers have gone to Congress and reported concerns about improper bias and political manipulation of investigations, according to Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson and Rep. Jim Jordan. The allegations include that the FBI improperly shut down an avenue of inquiry against Hunter Biden by calling legitimate evidence "misinformation" and opened up a probe of Donald Trump on evidence from liberal sources that did not meet the standard for predicating an investigation.

Youssef also gave his thoughts on the FBI;s raid at Mar-a-Lago a month ago, expressing concern his former agency had criminalized a records dispute that could have been resolved through negotiations.

 "It should have been dealt with between attorneys-between DOJ and FBI attorneys and former President Trump's attorneys," Youssef said. "This was not the case."

"This was escalated to a level, especially against a former president, that's just not just unprecedented, but it was incredulous, really when you think about it," he added.

Youssef captured the attention of Congress in the early 2000s when he alleged he was sidelined as one of bureau's most experienced terrorism fighters after 9-11 in a case of mistake identity. He was eventually returned to duty after an outcry led by Grassley.

During Wednesday's interview Youssef addressed the approaching 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks and how there is a need for more agents fluent in Arabic to help counter possible future attacks. 

"Having only 10 Arabic speaking agents against the threat and the specter of Middle Eastern terrorism is really minuscule," Youssef said. "And we certainly need to beef that up, not just in terms of Arabic speakers, but Arabic speakers who have expertise in counterterrorism, and specifically, specifically Islamic terrorism."