The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to expand a purge of career law enforcement officials, particularly targeting FBI agents involved in investigations related to the January 6 US Capitol attack and Trump-related matters. According to sources familiar with the situation, dozens of FBI agents and some supervisors are being evaluated for potential removal by the end of Friday.
This latest development underscores the administration's swift action to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise to retaliate against what he perceives as a Justice Department and FBI that have been weaponized against him. Trump has made unfounded allegations of misconduct by agents, including during the search of his Mar-a-Lago residence and in their handling of Capitol rioters.
Interim leaders at the Justice Department have been compiling lists of individuals within the bureau who have drawn Trump's disapproval for various reasons. FBI personnel have been cautioned by leadership that they may be asked to resign or face termination as a result.
Concerns have arisen among agents who worked on investigations such as Trump's handling of classified information and the prosecution of individuals involved in the Capitol attack. There is apprehension that their diligent work may lead to repercussions.
Both the Justice Department and FBI have declined to provide comments on the matter.
The purge at the Department of Justice's main headquarters commenced last week, immediately following the swearing-in of new interim leaders. Senior career lawyers were informed of reassignments to a task force focusing on immigration-related issues and sanctuary cities, jurisdictions that typically do not cooperate with federal deportation efforts. This move is widely seen as an attempt to push out senior career officials, some of whom have already resigned.
