General John R. Allen has resigned as president of the Brookings Institution after being accused of lying and obstructing an FBI investigation into an illegal lobbying campaign in Qatar.
Four-star Marine retiree, who became president of Brookings in 2017, said in his resignation letter that he leaves the research institute with a “heavy heart,” according to Statecraft Manager.
“I know it’s better for everyone involved right now,” he said in his resignation letter, which was obtained and published by the Quincy Institute’s online journal, which advocates diplomacy and military restraint.
The move comes after Brookings put him on leave on Wednesday following explosive allegations that he made false statements and withheld “incriminating” documents from the FBI during his investigation into whether he worked behind the scenes to influence US foreign policy. US in favor of the little Persian. Gulf Nation, according to court documents.
His electronic data was confiscated by the FBI as part of the investigation.
Allen allegedly pressured U.S. officials to help Qatar in 2017 during a diplomatic crisis between the monarchy and its neighbors, while “simultaneously pursuing multimillion-dollar trade agreements with the Qatari government,” in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act . [FARA]FBI agent Babak Adib wrote in a search warrant request obtained by the Associated Press.
The FBI says Allen gave a “false version of events” about his work for Qatar during a 2020 interview with law enforcement officials and did not produce any relevant emails in response to a previous quote from the big jury.
Allen has denied being a Qatari agent and his spokesman said the former general “voluntarily cooperated with the government’s investigation into the matter.”
“Gen. Allen has done nothing wrong or illegal, has never acted as an agent for Qatar or any foreign government or director, and has never obstructed justice, “spokesman Beau Phillips told Fox News Digital. decades of public service in combat and diplomacy, General Allen has earned an unparalleled and excellent reputation for honor and integrity. “
The Brookings Institution, an influential think tank, recently stopped receiving funding from Qatar after the rich country became one of Brooking’s main financial sponsors.
Allen, the former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, was on leave on June 8 by Brookings. The institution said that “the integrity and objectivity of Brookings scholars and their research are the main assets of the institution.”
“Brookings is not subject to a federal investigation into a personal trip Allen made to Qatar in 2017 before becoming president of the institution. Brookings does not receive funding from the Qatari government,” the institution said in a statement. announcing that Allen was fired. “Brookings has received funding from Qatar in the past to support research and events. In early 2019, Brookings decided not to renew the country’s funding and to close its Brookings Doha Center, established in 2007. The decision to close the Brookings Doha Center coincided with the decision to make the transition to all of Brookings’ foreign centers. “
On Sunday, in an email to employees, Brookings co-chairs Glenn Hutchins and Suzanne Nora Johnson said their co-chair Ted Gayer would be acting president.
Allen was thanked for his “leadership in successfully guiding the institution during the pandemic, as well as his many years of service and sacrifice for our country,” the note said.
Allen’s resignation letter, obtained by Responsible Statecraft, does not directly address the whirlwind allegations, but notes his service to the United States.
“I spent forty-five years in the service of the American people and the United States, serving our country and our precious citizens in peace, crisis, and war,” he wrote. “I did it with the utmost sense of humility and pride in being part of something bigger than myself.”
With post cables.