FBI Fires Additional Agents Involved in Investigating Trump, AP Sources Say
The FBI continues its personnel purge, terminating agents and supervisors tied to the investigation into President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has continued its ongoing personnel overhaul by dismissing additional agents and supervisors who were connected to the federal probe into former President Donald Trump's attempts to challenge the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the recent round of terminations occurred despite efforts from Washington's top federal prosecutor to prevent some of these actions.
The employees in question received their termination notices this week; however, their dismissals were temporarily halted after D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro raised objections.
Sources suggest that the firings were reinstated on Tuesday, though the precise number of agents affected has not been disclosed.
This development is part of a broader effort initiated by FBI Director Kash Patel to remove senior officials and agents involved in investigations that have clashed with the Trump administration's interests.
Three former high-ranking FBI officials recently filed lawsuits against Patel, alleging that he succumbed to political pressure to enact a 'campaign of retribution.'
The firings are also drawing criticism from the FBI Agents Association, which accuses Director Patel of disregarding established policies and procedures.
The association expressed concern over the erratic nature of these terminations, particularly in cases where agents were simply assigned to investigations conducted within legal boundaries.
The 2020 election investigation that led to the indictment of Trump by special counsel Jack Smith has faced intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers who argue that the Biden administration's Justice Department is unfairly targeting conservatives.
Senator Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has recently released documents related to this investigation, revealing that investigators analyzed phone records belonging to over a dozen Republican legislators.
The ongoing purge within the FBI extends beyond these recent firings.
The Justice Department has already dismissed prosecutors and other employees who worked under Smith's team.
This broader shake-up has contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty and unease within the bureau.
In August, the FBI ousted the head of its Washington field office as well as the former acting director, who had resisted demands from the Trump administration to disclose the identities of agents involved in investigations related to the January 6 Capitol riot.
Additionally, in September, the FBI fired employees who were photographed participating in a racial justice protest following the death of George Floyd.
The FBI's actions underline an ongoing internal struggle within the bureau, marked by political turmoil and a series of sweeping changes aimed at purging personnel linked to contentious investigations.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the recent round of terminations occurred despite efforts from Washington's top federal prosecutor to prevent some of these actions.
The employees in question received their termination notices this week; however, their dismissals were temporarily halted after D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro raised objections.
Sources suggest that the firings were reinstated on Tuesday, though the precise number of agents affected has not been disclosed.
This development is part of a broader effort initiated by FBI Director Kash Patel to remove senior officials and agents involved in investigations that have clashed with the Trump administration's interests.
Three former high-ranking FBI officials recently filed lawsuits against Patel, alleging that he succumbed to political pressure to enact a 'campaign of retribution.'
The firings are also drawing criticism from the FBI Agents Association, which accuses Director Patel of disregarding established policies and procedures.
The association expressed concern over the erratic nature of these terminations, particularly in cases where agents were simply assigned to investigations conducted within legal boundaries.
The 2020 election investigation that led to the indictment of Trump by special counsel Jack Smith has faced intense scrutiny from Republican lawmakers who argue that the Biden administration's Justice Department is unfairly targeting conservatives.
Senator Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has recently released documents related to this investigation, revealing that investigators analyzed phone records belonging to over a dozen Republican legislators.
The ongoing purge within the FBI extends beyond these recent firings.
The Justice Department has already dismissed prosecutors and other employees who worked under Smith's team.
This broader shake-up has contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty and unease within the bureau.
In August, the FBI ousted the head of its Washington field office as well as the former acting director, who had resisted demands from the Trump administration to disclose the identities of agents involved in investigations related to the January 6 Capitol riot.
Additionally, in September, the FBI fired employees who were photographed participating in a racial justice protest following the death of George Floyd.
The FBI's actions underline an ongoing internal struggle within the bureau, marked by political turmoil and a series of sweeping changes aimed at purging personnel linked to contentious investigations.
