After several Republicans and Democrats voted against an amendment that would've withheld funds for a new FBI headquarters near Washington, D.C., one former whistleblower has dubbed the Republicans in question "soulless demons."
Steve Friend, a 12-year FBI veteran, testified before Congress in May and claimed the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI targeted conservatives. He took to Twitter recently to criticize the Republicans who voted against the amendment.
"Last year, I brought protected whistleblower disclosures about [the FBI] weaponization to [House GOP]," Friend tweeted. "They used it to go on TV & get elected. I lost my career and am under FBI investigation. Today, the House GOP voted to give the FBI a $300 million HQ. Soulless demons. Go to hell."
The FBI headquarters is currently located in Washington, D.C. The new headquarters would be located in Greenbelt, Md.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) proposed the amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill to withhold $300 million for the construction of the facility.
The amendment received 145 yes votes and 273 no votes. One representative voted present, and 19 did not vote.
Among the Alabama delegation, four voted yes. U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) and Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) voted no.
"I've got close to 2,500 FBI families in my district," Strong told 1819 News regarding Friend's comments. "Everyone I talk to is just as mad at what the FBI leadership is doing to Donald Trump as I am. Our fight is with the entrenched FBI leadership in D.C., not the agents focusing on combating drug cartels, going after Chinese spies in the United States, and rescuing victims of human trafficking."
"To be honest, Jim Jordan, and the FBI whistleblower himself, recommended that more of the FBI be moved to Huntsville," he continued. "Restricting the FBI's ability to invest in new facilities would further entrench them in the Washington swamp. I agree that we need to get as many agents out of D.C. as possible."
1819 News also reached out to Rogers for comment but did not receive a response.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email will.blakely@1819news.com or find him on Twitter and Facebook.
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