DEA Agent Mark Ibrahim Suspended For Participation In Capitol Protests

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has suspended agent Mark Ibrahim over his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol protests that lead to an insurrection. Darren Richie, Ibrahim’s lawyer, maintains that his client never entered the building.

Ibrahim was “put on leave and his security clearance was suspended … because of his presence on January 6,” said Richie. Richie also said in a statement that his client was “perplexed and damaged” by the DEA’s “adverse employment action.”

Richie added that Ibrahim wanted to enjoy “an important day in history,” calling the Capitol riot a “peaceful march.” “Mr. Ibrahim was not part of, affiliated with nor participatory in any trespass or violent acts and vehemently denounces them,” he said. “Those participants comprised only a fraction of the total attendees.”

According to Richie, when Ibrahim noticed that other attendees were “violating laws he swung into action in his capacity as a law enforcement officer to capture video which likely led to arrests in support of law and order.”

A DEA official put out a statement justifying the suspension: “DEA cannot comment on specific personnel matters. If we receive information indicating an employee engaged in misconduct, DEA’s policy is to promptly refer the case to the appropriate authorities to review.”

Richie claimed that his client remains surprised at “how easily and quickly the DEA compromised” his reputation within the agency “that professes support for this nation and its security.”

Article by Elizabeth Letsou