Key points
- FBI Director Patel faces backlash over firings
- FBI Agents Association criticises “campaign of retribution”
WASHINGTON: The FBI has continued its personnel purge, dismissing more agents and supervisors involved in the federal investigation into President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. These latest dismissals came despite efforts by Washington’s top federal prosecutor to halt some of the firings, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The agents were initially informed of their termination this week, but the plans were paused after concerns were raised by D.C. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro. However, they were dismissed again on Tuesday, though it remains unclear what caused the reversal. The total number of dismissed agents is not immediately known, reports AP News.
These terminations are part of a broader shake-up under FBI Director Kash Patel, who has removed several senior officials and agents linked to investigations or actions that have angered the Trump administration. Three former high-ranking FBI officials filed a lawsuit against Patel in September, accusing him of succumbing to political pressure to carry out a “campaign of retribution.”
FBI Agents Association
The FBI Agents Association, which has criticised Patel, stated that his actions have “disregarded the law” and described the firings as a “campaign of erratic and arbitrary retribution.” They highlighted the chaos caused by ignoring long-standing policies and processes, noting that agents conducting investigations lawfully should never face termination.
The investigation into the 2020 election that led to special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment of Trump has been heavily scrutinised by GOP lawmakers. These lawmakers have accused the Biden administration’s Justice Department of weaponising its powers against conservatives. Recent revelations, including documents showing that phone records of Republican lawmakers were analysed, have added to the controversy surrounding the investigation.
