An FBI agent and whistleblower, Johnathan Buma, was arrested at JFK Airport and charged with illegally disclosing classified information after sharing a draft of his book. Buma, who worked in counterintelligence, printed confidential materials from the FBI and shared them with associates in 2023. The book draft contained information related to the FBI’s efforts and investigations into a foreign country’s weapons of mass destruction program. Buma’s prospective book focused on his career as an FBI agent, including his work as a whistleblower.
Buma, a 15-year FBI veteran working out of a California field office, printed about 130 files from the agency’s internal network, including some marked as protected, as well as other protected documents. After obtaining the materials, Buma put in for leave in October 2023. He had previously filed a whistleblower complaint in January 2022, alleging intelligence suppression and retaliation from the FBI for his reporting on foreign intelligence. Buma claimed to have presented information about potential criminal actions involving Hunter Biden and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, as well as suspicions about Rudy Giuliani’s involvement in a Russian counter-influence operation, which were shut down by his superiors.
Buma’s home was raided in September 2023 over suspicions of mishandling classified information. However, his lawyer claimed that no classified information was found during the raid. Buma was released on $100,000 bail during a hearing in Brooklyn federal court, and his case will be handled in California federal court. A lawyer representing Buma in court did not immediately return a request for comment. The charges against Buma highlight his ongoing conflict with the FBI, dating back to President Trump’s first term.
The arrest of Buma brings to light the complex relationship between the FBI and whistleblowers within the agency. Buma’s case raises questions about the handling of classified information by FBI agents and the repercussions they face for speaking out against the bureau. The charges against Buma shed light on the challenges faced by whistleblowers in the government and the potential consequences of exposing classified information. Buma’s case also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
The court documents detailing Buma’s charges provide insight into the alleged illegal disclosure of classified information and the impact it has on national security. Buma’s case serves as a reminder of the potential risks whistleblowers face when disclosing sensitive information and the legal ramifications that can result from their actions. The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Buma’s case will likely continue to shed light on the issues of government transparency, accountability, and the protection of classified information. The outcome of Buma’s case could have broader implications for future whistleblowers and their ability to speak out against potential wrongdoing within government agencies.
