Rep. Jim Jordan is demanding information about the deadly Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) raid on the home of airport director Brian Malinowski.
Jordan, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in a letter that Malinowski’s death, coupled with the ATF’s new recent regulations, “raises serious questions about the agency’s weaponization.”
On March 19, the ATF showed up at Malinowski’s home with ten vehicles to execute a search warrant because they believed he was illegally selling firearms.
Bryan Malinowski, 53, who managed the Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport, died two days after the confrontation with ATF agents at his west Little Rock home.
The search warrant revealed that Malinowski was suspected of trafficking more than 150 firearms between May 2021 and February of this year.
Jordan asked the ATF on May 6 for a copy of the warrant, all recordings of its execution, and all communications regarding the lack of body camera footage of the incident.
Ring camera image of Malinowski’s home on the night of the raid
Bud Cummins, an attorney for Malinowski’s estate, released several clips from the Chenal Valley neighborhood on the night of the raid, which the attorney said took place while his client and wife Maer were sleeping. He adds that it is not clear that the officers correctly identified themselves.
Jordan’s letter noted that the officers executing the warrant were not wearing body cameras, a violation of DOJ policy.
Both videos show the ATF agents cocking their guns while dressed in full tactical gear outside Malinowski’s home.
One officer was injured during the shooting and ATF said Malinowski was the one who initially opened fire on the officers.
Cummins claimed there is no evidence that officers knocked on the door and announced their presence before gunfire ensued and Malinowski shot at the officers at their feet while they returned fire, shooting him in the head.
Jordan, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in a letter that Malinowski’s death, coupled with the ATF’s new recent regulations, “raises serious questions about the agency’s weaponization.”
ATF rules require agents to knock and announce their presence before entering a home with a search warrant, except when the agent “has reasonable grounds to believe at the time the warrant is sought that knocking and announcing the presence of the officer would create an imminent threat of physical violence. the agent and/or another person.’
The raid occurred at the same time the ATF introduced a new rule to close a loophole requiring dealers to conduct background checks on buyers at gun shows and other places outside of brick-and-mortar stores.
Such dealers would have to be licensed and could be subject to up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 if they sell guns under such circumstances without a license or fail to conduct background checks.
Bryan Malinowski died Thursday after being shot by ATF agents Tuesday at his west Little Rock home
Malinowski is seen here at right next to Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, during a visit to Clinton National Airport last March
Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of real estate, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009
Malinowski was suspected of trafficking more than 150 firearms between May 2021 and February of this year, six of which were later used in crimes, and one of which ended up with a 15-year-old gang member in California.
“Even if the allegations in the statement are true, they do not justify what happened,” his family said in the statement after the shooting.
“At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, was charged with selling privately owned firearms to someone who may not have had the legal right to purchase the weapons.”
The investigation began in November 2023 when authorities in Canada were tipped off by an informant about weapons that had entered illegal circulation.
Malinowski allegedly purchased the weapons legally online, stating they were for personal use and acknowledging that the “repeated purchase of firearms” for further sale is illegal without a permit.
But he was seen selling them at gun shows without asking for ID or paperwork, telling an undercover agent that none was needed for private sales.
The ATF said someone opened fire in Malinowski’s home when they arrived Tuesday and that Malinowski reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the head during the ensuing gunfight.