FBI officials have submitted a list of thousands of employees who worked on investigations related to the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot to the Justice Department, as per sources familiar with the situation. This demand has raised concerns among FBI employees who fear it may lead to terminations by the Trump administration.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a memo titled 'Terminations' on Friday, instructing FBI officials to provide the names of thousands of agents and analysts by a noon deadline on Tuesday. The memo followed the firing of eight senior FBI officials overseeing various investigations.
Over 5,000 names were submitted out of the more than 13,000 agents and 38,000 total FBI employees. Elon Musk's representatives have been observed at FBI headquarters, linked to efforts by President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency.
Several FBI employees have filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department, alleging violations of the Constitution and privacy laws by requesting agents to complete a survey aimed at 'purging' bureau personnel. The lawsuit, brought by anonymous FBI employees as a class-action complaint, argues that compiling lists of personnel involved in matters that upset Trump is retaliatory.
The push to fire individuals involved in Trump-related probes has faced resistance from agents collaborating with new administration officials advocating for cultural changes at FBI headquarters. Acting FBI Director Kash Patel has assured agents that political retribution for their work will not be tolerated.
Bove's memo outlines a review process to determine further personnel actions based on the information provided. FBI employees have expressed surprise at attempts to penalize agents and analysts assigned to cases, with some being fired for their involvement in investigations into Trump.
Advocacy groups representing federal law enforcement officers have urged congressional leaders to prevent the administration from purging career FBI officials. The potential dismissal of employees who worked on Trump-related investigations has been criticized as a violation of due process rights.
The response from FBI's New York field office leader, James Dennehy, has been particularly resolute, as he vowed to 'dig in' to defend his staff amidst the ongoing challenges.
