Major Shakeup: FBI Agents Linked to Trump Probes Face Possible Dismissal Amid Justice Dept. Purge

FBI agents involved in the investigations of the January 6 Capitol riot as well as President Trump's handling of classified records and his actions post-2020 election may face termination as early as Friday, according to several sources familiar with the situation. These potential personnel changes have been initiated by the Justice Department, which has communicated with FBI leadership regarding them. Presently, Attorney General James McHenry and Acting Deputy General Emil Bove are overseeing the Justice Department.

Continuing Restructuring within Law Enforcement Agencies

The anticipated personnel changes represent an expansion of an ongoing initiative to restructure the Justice Department and the FBI. Senior officials within these agencies have been instructed to retire, resign, or face termination, with a deadline set for Monday. Currently, government officials are scrutinizing lists of FBI agents who participated in these probes to determine who will be affected, with indications that the number may increase.

Senior Officials Targeted

Among those receiving notifications regarding their positions are senior FBI officials at the executive assistant director level at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as numerous heads of FBI field offices across the country. Specifically, the special agents in charge of the Miami and Las Vegas offices, along with the assistant director in charge of the Washington field offices, have also been notified. It is anticipated that these agents may opt for retirement in light of the situation.

Broad Impact of Changes

The executive assistant director-level officials being instructed to retire oversee the FBI's criminal, national security, and cyber investigations. Additionally, there might be further alterations throughout the FBI, according to sources familiar with the matter. Notably, some of these notifications were issued while Kash Patel, nominated by President Trump to lead the FBI, faced inquiries during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee has yet to cast a vote on his confirmation.

Significance of the Changes

The scope of the changes, particularly concerning the investigations of the January 6 Capitol riot, holds the potential to create widespread repercussions nationwide. Agents from various FBI field offices were engaged in what has become the largest investigation in Justice Department history, leading to charges against over 1,500 defendants in nearly every state. FBI personnel played pivotal roles in each of these cases, underscoring the significance of the impending personnel shifts.

Moreover, FBI agents collaborated with federal prosecutors in the investigations that ultimately resulted in the charges against President Trump in two cases spearheaded by former special counsel Jack Smith. One case related to the handling of classified records, while the other pertained to his conduct following the 2020 presidential election. The agents involved in these matters are expected to be removed from their positions, further amplifying the impact of these personnel changes.

In response to these developments, the FBI and the Justice Department refrained from commenting when approached by CBS News. During his confirmation hearing, Patel was specifically questioned about the potential termination of FBI agents associated with the Trump cases. He emphasized the importance of holding all FBI employees to the same standard, asserting that no one would be terminated based solely on case assignments. Patel also underscored the commitment to shielding all FBI employees from political retribution.

Concerns Raised by the FBI Agents Association

The FBI Agents Association, representing both active and former FBI personnel, expressed strong disapproval of the proposed actions. They characterized the potential dismissal of numerous agents as fundamentally at odds with law enforcement objectives and a significant threat to the Bureau's capability to protect against national security and criminal threats. The association also highlighted that such actions contradict commitments made during nomination hearings and undermine assurances given to protect agents from retribution based on assigned cases.