FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2025

The FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to significantly strengthen protections for whistleblowers within the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It achieves this by amending Title 5 of the U.S. Code, specifically regarding prohibited personnel actions, and by modifying the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The legislation seeks to create a more secure environment for FBI employees to report misconduct without fear of reprisal. The bill defines additional prohibited personnel actions for FBI employees with authority over personnel decisions. These include taking action against an employee for exercising appeal rights, testifying, assisting others, or cooperating with an Inspector General or Special Counsel. It also prohibits the implementation of nondisclosure policies that restrict lawful whistleblower disclosures and clarifies that a disclosure remains protected even if made to a supervisor involved in the activity, previously disclosed, not in writing, made off-duty, or during normal duties. Furthermore, the legislation assigns the Attorney General responsibility for preventing prohibited personnel practices and ensuring FBI employees are informed of their whistleblower rights and remedies. This includes providing information to new employees within 180 days and making it publicly available. The bill also mandates that authorized investigative and adjudicative agencies develop policies to ensure that processes for employees claiming reprisal are free from conflicts of interest . Finally, it clarifies the appeals process for FBI whistleblower retaliation, applying specific legal burdens of proof.