Afolabi Siwajuola, an Army veteran and ATF whistleblower, has emerged as a hero for everyday Americans by exposing a cesspool of corruption within the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) during the Biden administration. His bravery in standing up to a rogue agency has come at a steep personal cost, with working conditions so hostile he compares them to his time serving in Iraq.

In 2021, Siwajuola blew the whistle on a shocking scheme where Biden-era ATF officials illegally misclassified administrative roles as law enforcement positions. This wasn’t just paperwork shuffling—it was a deliberate ploy to funnel higher pay and benefits to desk jockeys, costing taxpayers at least $20 million over five years. The Office of Special Counsel, Office of Personnel Management, and ATF’s own internal affairs division confirmed Siwajuola’s allegations, proving the rot ran deep.

Instead of being hailed as a truth-teller, Siwajuola faced a relentless campaign of retaliation. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) detailed this “sustained retaliation” in a scathing letter to ATF Acting Director Daniel Driscoll and Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding accountability for “all those who participated in or directed the retaliation” against Siwajuola. This isn’t just bureaucracy gone wrong—it’s a betrayal of a man who risked everything to expose corruption.

The retaliation took a sinister turn in June 2022 when the FBI investigated claims that an ATF special agent threatened Siwajuola and another whistleblower. According to Grassley’s letter, “The ATF witness was told by an ATF special agent that Mr. Siwajuola had ‘a mark on his back,’” with the witness believing the agent “was speaking on behalf of other people desiring to conduct harm to Siwajuola.” Shockingly, ATF’s internal affairs division never followed up with Siwajuola about these threats, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.

Siwajuola’s courage didn’t waver, even as the Biden ATF turned up the heat. After reaching a settlement over retaliation claims, he was promoted “in name only”—then forced to report to one of the very officials he accused of misconduct. Grassley’s letter reveals that former ATF Director Steven Dettelbach “personally gave orders to find a legal justification to fire” Siwajuola in mid-2022, showing just how far the agency’s leadership was willing to go to crush dissent.

The attacks didn’t stop there. In 2023, Siwajuola faced a “baseless and biased retaliatory” internal affairs investigation, followed by a demotion and orders to perform menial tasks. His colleagues and superiors shunned him, creating an environment of isolation that Grassley described as “persistent retaliation.” The senator’s letter makes it clear: “The retaliation continues to this day, and the retaliation increased in severity since the settlement agreement.”

Perhaps most disturbing is a recent internal affairs probe accusing Siwajuola of creating a “hostile work environment” and “behavior unbecoming of a federal employee”—charges he vehemently denies. During an August 27 interview, investigators crossed a line, grilling him about his national origin and political beliefs.

“Mr. Siwajuola informed my staff that the investigator asked him where he was from, in which Mr. Siwajuola responded ‘North Carolina’ but the investigator continued asking Mr. Siwajuola where he was really from as if he wasn’t truly from the U.S. due to his name,” Grassley said. The investigator even pressed Siwajuola on whether he supported abolishing the ATF, a question that reeks of political targeting.

For Siwajuola, an Army veteran who served in Baghdad, the hostility at ATF has been soul-crushing. He told Grassley’s office that his experience at the agency “is on the same level, and some days worse than his experience serving in Baghdad, Iraq.” In a gut-wrenching statement, Grassley added, “Mr. Siwajuola told my staff that when serving in Iraq he could trust that his Army squadmates and leadership would have his back, but Biden ATF leadership had instead ‘put a target’ on his.” This is what happens when a corrupt system turns on its own.

Despite the relentless attacks, Siwajuola’s resolve remains unbreakable. Honored with the Office of Special Counsel’s 2023 Public Servant Award for his bravery, he refuses to abandon his post at ATF. Why? Because he believes in the agency’s mission and won’t let corrupt bureaucrats drive him out. This is the kind of backbone that defines a true American patriot.

Grassley’s letter also uncovers new allegations that paint an even darker picture of the Biden ATF. During a hiring surge, the agency allegedly lowered standards for special agents and investigators, pushing employees like Siwajuola to approve unqualified applicants—especially those with connections to current or former ATF staff. “Biden ATF management put pressure on Mr. Siwajuola and others to approve certain applicants, especially applicants with relationships with past or current ATF employees,” Grassley wrote. This cronyism undermines the agency’s integrity and puts public safety at risk.

The senator is demanding accountability. He called on Driscoll to “immediately put a stop to all retaliation against Mr. Siwajuola, place him in the position he would’ve been absent the retaliation, and fully and fairly investigate all of his whistleblower retaliation allegations and misconduct claims, including the alleged threats of harm made against him by ATF special agents.” He added a stern warning: “If the allegations are proven to be true, you must hold all those who participated in or directed the retaliation against Mr. Siwajuola and other ATF whistleblowers accountable.”

This scandal exposes everything wrong with the Biden administration’s approach to governance: bloated bureaucracies, unchecked corruption, and a willingness to destroy anyone who dares speak out. Siwajuola’s story is a rallying cry for every American who believes in justice and accountability. The ATF’s actions aren’t just an attack on one man—they’re an assault on the values that make this country great.

Does the account from this whistleblower give you any concerns about the corruption that’s rooted within the federal government? As always, let us know your thoughts by posting in the comments below!