The FBI has terminated multiple agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington, D.C., which occurred in response to the 2020 death of George Floyd. This incident, which followed widespread protests demanding racial justice, has resulted in significant personnel changes within the bureau.
The agency had initially reassigned the agents involved but decided to fire them later. Sources familiar with the situation indicated that approximately 20 agents were affected by these terminations.
The photographs that sparked controversy depicted a group of agents taking a knee at a demonstration that arose after Floyd’s death, an event that ignited a national conversation about policing practices and racial inequality. While some within the FBI viewed the kneeling as inappropriate, others saw it as a potential de-escalation measure during a tense period of protests.
The FBI Agents Association released a statement on Friday, confirming the termination of over a dozen agents, many of whom are military veterans who deserve additional legal protections. The association denounced the firings as unlawful and called for Congressional investigation. It accused FBI Director Kash Patel of failing to respect the constitutional rights of the bureau’s employees.
The statement from the agents association highlighted a contradiction in Patel’s stance on legal compliance, stating: “As Director Patel has repeatedly stated, nobody is above the law. But rather than providing these agents with fair treatment and due process, Patel chose to again violate the law by ignoring these agents’ constitutional and legal rights instead of following the requisite process.”
An FBI spokesperson did not provide any comment on the matter when approached for a response.
The dismissal of these agents comes alongside a broader strategy by Director Patel to reshape the FBI. Reports suggest that there has been an ongoing personnel purge at the bureau, characterized by a wave of firings intended to alter the leadership dynamic and overall structure within the organization.
Last month, five agents and high-ranking executives were let go, a move that many current and former officials believe has negatively impacted morale within the bureau. Among those dismissed was Steve Jensen, who played a critical role in overseeing investigations regarding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, and Brian Driscoll, who served as acting FBI director during the initial phase of the Trump administration.
Additionally, the terminations included Chris Meyer, who was rumored, albeit incorrectly, to have participated in investigations related to President Donald Trump’s classification retention issues. The fourth individual let go, Walter Giardina, was involved in significant investigations, including those related to Trump adviser Peter Navarro.
In a related development, a lawsuit has been filed by Jensen, Driscoll, and another terminated supervisor, Spencer Evans. They claim Patel acknowledged that it was likely illegal to fire agents based on their prior cases but felt constrained due to pressure from the White House and the Justice Department.
During a congressional hearing last week, Patel refuted these allegations, maintaining that no directives from the White House influenced the decisions regarding the firings and asserting that all dismissed employees had failed to live up to the FBI’s standards.
image source from：nbcwashington
