New York (Agencies): A former FBI agent, Johnathan Buma, was arrested at JFK Airport on charges of unlawfully disclosing classified information, authorities confirmed. Buma, a 15-year veteran of the FBI, was taken into custody while attempting to board an international flight.
Federal prosecutors allege that in October 2023, Buma printed approximately 130 files from the FBI’s internal systems, many marked with security warnings. He allegedly shared portions of these documents with associates and included classified details in a draft memoir about his career. His book reportedly contained information about FBI investigations into foreign weapons of mass destruction programs and the Hunter Biden-Burisma controversy.
Buma, who had previously positioned himself as a whistleblower, claimed that the FBI suppressed crucial intelligence during the Trump and Biden administrations. He alleged that his superiors ignored warnings about foreign influence involving figures such as Hunter Biden and Rudy Giuliani. In January 2022, he filed a whistleblower complaint, accusing the agency of political bias and retaliation against him.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Buma was released on a $100,000 bail. His case has been transferred to a federal court in California, where he is expected to appear for further proceedings. The case has reignited debates over political influence within the FBI and the treatment of whistleblowers in high-profile investigations.