FBI Faces Sweeping Purge as Trump Administration Fires Agents Involved in Investigations
The FBI is undergoing a significant shake-up, with agents involved in now-abandoned criminal investigations into President Donald Trump expected to be dismissed, according to U.S. media reports on Friday.
CNN reports that dozens of agents who participated in the probe of Trump supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot—along with some of their supervisors—are being evaluated for potential removal. The Washington Post, citing sources familiar with the plan, said officials are working to identify potentially hundreds of FBI agents for termination.
In addition to the FBI purge, approximately 30 federal prosecutors who worked on Capitol riot cases and were still on probationary status have been dismissed, the Post reported. Earlier this week, the Justice Department fired several officials involved in the prosecution of Trump.
A Justice Department official stated that these terminations were made because the acting attorney general did not believe the individuals “could be trusted to faithfully implement the president’s agenda.”
NBC News reports that among those being fired are more than 20 FBI field office heads, including those in Miami and Washington. According to CNN, at least six senior FBI leaders have been ordered to “retire, resign, or be fired by Monday.” However, The Washington Post noted that Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll, a veteran agent appointed by Trump, has refused to approve the mass firings.
Backlash Over ‘Brazen Assault on Rule of Law’
The dismissals have sparked fierce criticism from Democratic lawmakers and law enforcement groups. Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, condemned the move as a “major blow” to the integrity of the FBI and Justice Department.
“This is a brazen assault on the rule of law that severely undermines our national security and public safety,” Durbin said. “Unelected Trump loyalists are carrying out widespread political retribution against career law enforcement officials.”
The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), an advocacy group for FBI employees, also denounced the dismissals, warning that such actions would weaken the bureau’s ability to protect national security.
“Dismissing potentially hundreds of agents would severely weaken the Bureau’s ability to protect the country from national security and criminal threats,” the FBIAA said in a statement.
Trump’s Legal Cases Dropped, Mass Pardons Issued
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought two federal cases against Trump—including charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents—resigned earlier this month. Both cases were dropped following Trump’s election victory, in line with the Justice Department’s policy of not prosecuting a sitting president.
On his first day back in office, Trump issued more than 1,500 pardons, including to supporters convicted for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot.
New FBI Leadership Under Scrutiny
Following Trump’s reelection, FBI Director Christopher Wray resigned, and Trump appointed Kash Patel, a former advisor and staunch ally, to lead the bureau.
During his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, Patel was asked whether he was aware of any efforts to punish FBI agents involved in investigations of Trump.
“I am not aware of that,” Patel responded, adding that “all FBI employees will be protected against political retribution.”
Despite these assurances, the reported firings and political backlash signal a turbulent period ahead for the FBI and the broader law enforcement community.
