Veteran FBI agent Johnathan Buma was detained at JFK Airport while trying to leave the country, charged with unauthorized disclosure of classified information after allegedly attempting to publish sensitive details in a book that included information on the Giuliani-Russia investigation.
Quick Takes
- FBI counterintelligence agent Johnathan Buma, a 15-year veteran, was arrested at JFK Airport and charged with unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
- Buma was attempting to publish a book containing sensitive FBI information, including details on investigations into a foreign country’s WMD program.
- He previously filed a whistleblower complaint alleging intelligence suppression regarding Hunter Biden, Burisma, and claims against Rudy Giuliani.
- Despite a 2023 raid on his home finding no classified data, Buma was caught with approximately 130 sensitive files printed from the FBI’s internal network.
- Released on $100,000 bail, Buma will face trial in California federal court but has not yet entered a plea.
Whistleblower or National Security Risk?
The arrest of FBI counterintelligence agent Johnathan Buma has ignited a firestorm of controversy about the boundaries between whistleblowing and national security violations. Buma, detained at JFK Airport while attempting to board an international flight, faces serious charges for allegedly sharing sensitive information without proper authorization. Court documents reveal that Buma printed approximately 130 files from the FBI’s classified internal network, some of which contained explicit warning labels indicating their sensitive nature. These documents reportedly included information about ongoing investigations into weapons of mass destruction programs in foreign countries.
According to charging documents filed in California federal court, Buma had been preparing a book that contained classified information he obtained through his position as an FBI Special Agent. The 15-year FBI veteran appeared in Brooklyn federal court for a preliminary hearing and was subsequently released on $100,000 bail. This case represents yet another troubling instance of potential intelligence compromise from within our own security apparatus, raising questions about the vetting and oversight of those entrusted with our nation’s most sensitive information.
BREAKING: 🚨 Anti-Trump FBI Agent Arrested As He Tries To Leave the Country
Johnathan Buma, a senior FBI agent known for his attacks on Donald Trump, was apprehended, moments before boarding an international flight at JFK Airport.
The 15-year veteran had printed over 130… pic.twitter.com/EvTuEgiPiQ
— MAGA Resource (@MAGAResource) March 20, 2025
Claims of Political Bias and Retaliation
The case takes on additional complexity given Buma’s previous whistleblower claims. In January 2022, he filed an official whistleblower complaint alleging intelligence suppression and retaliation within the bureau. Buma had reportedly been vocal about potential criminal activities involving Hunter Biden and Burisma, as well as what he characterized as the suppression of claims against Rudy Giuliani. The timing of his arrest has raised questions about whether this is legitimate law enforcement action or potential retaliation against an agent who spoke out against perceived political bias.
In 2023, federal authorities raided Buma’s home over suspicions of mishandling classified information, though reports indicate no classified materials were found at that time. This previous raid adds another layer to the current charges, suggesting either ongoing surveillance of Buma or new evidence that prompted his airport arrest. His former attorney previously denied any wrongdoing following that raid, but current legal representation has not yet commented on these new developments as of this writing. The charges were officially filed in the Central District of California, where the case will ultimately be tried.
Implications for FBI Credibility and Oversight
This incident occurs against a backdrop of intensifying scrutiny of the FBI and its handling of politically sensitive investigations. Buma has reportedly been critical of the Trump administration’s handling of classified information, particularly regarding allegations of Rudy Giuliani’s involvement in what he characterized as a Russian influence operation. The charging documents describe Buma as being “adamant” about certain claims, suggesting a level of conviction that raises questions about whether he genuinely believed he was exposing wrongdoing rather than compromising national security.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges facing our intelligence community in balancing necessary secrecy with appropriate accountability. For many Americans concerned about government overreach and the potential politicization of federal law enforcement agencies, Buma’s arrest will raise significant questions about whether whistleblower protections are functioning as intended. With Buma not yet having entered a formal plea, and his current attorney withholding public comment, many aspects of this case remain shrouded in the very secrecy that stands at the center of the controversy.
Sources:
- FBI Agent Who Claimed Giuliani Compromised by Russia Arrested
- FBI agent critical of the bureau since Trump’s first term is arrested at JFK Airport and charged with disclosing classified info
- FBI agent who accused Trump administration of political bias charged with unlawful disclosures
