“FBI Agents Face Threat of Sudden Mass Layoffs”
Concerns about mass layoffs are spreading within the FBI, as Acting Director Brian Driscoll and a group of FBI agents defended bureau staff in messages to employees on Saturday and resisted potential efforts from the Trump administration to remove FBI officials. Following the dismissal of eight top FBI career executives and the pardoning of many Jan. 6th rioters, including those who attacked police officers, shortly after the start of the second term, Trump expressed approval.
In a message to FBI staff on Saturday evening, Acting Director Driscoll reiterated that the Trump administration is requesting the names of all FBI agents involved in the Jan. 6th investigations, a figure estimated to be in the thousands. “We are working closely with the Department of Justice to understand the reasons for the lists being requested,” Driscoll stated.
Legal experts and current/former FBI officials believe that the Trump administration is engaged in an unprecedented retaliatory campaign against prosecutors and law enforcement personnel involved in investigating the former president and his supporters linked to the Capitol insurrection. According to Pennsylvania State University Professor Douglas Charles, a specialist in FBI history, the current situation represents a significant departure from past reorganizations within the FBI, indicating a potential erosion of the agency’s independent culture.
Former President Donald Trump was seen with his legal team, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, before jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024, in New York City. Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, Kash Patel, affirmed during his Senate confirmation hearing the protection of all FBI employees from political repercussions. However, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former defense counsel for Trump, instructed Driscoll to dismiss the top eight FBI executives and demanded the names of agents involved in the Jan. 6th cases only a day later.
If Patel’s Senate confirmation is successful, he could potentially replace Driscoll and gather the names of agents involved in the Jan. 6th investigations, leading to potential administrative actions or dismissals. The exact date of Patel’s confirmation vote remains undisclosed.
Offering guidance in response to the situation, the FBI Agents Association, a non-union organization representing agents, expressed concern about attempts to coerce FBI personnel into resigning. The association advised agents not to resign voluntarily and to remain composed in the face of potential termination threats, emphasizing compliance with ethical guidelines such as the Hatch Act to avoid engaging in prohibited political activities.
“Please ensure you receive the termination notice in writing and promptly forward it to us.” In a message issued on Saturday, Driscoll emphasized that agents do not have the autonomy to select the cases they work on. He clarified that involvement in a contentious matter should not be automatically equated with wrongdoing. “As dedicated special agents and colleagues within the FBI, we are fully aware that case assignments are strictly based on the responsibilities of our roles,” he stated. “Therefore, it is crucial to understand that being listed in such instances does not imply any form of misconduct.”
Driscoll further highlighted that FBI agents are entitled to civil service protections if they face disciplinary measures. These protections are in place to safeguard against external influences, particularly from elected officials, in the bureau’s investigative processes. “This established protocol not only ensures accountability but also guarantees employees fair due process and review in line with relevant policy and legislation,” he added. “Our commitment to adhering to this process remains steadfast.”
The Society of Former FBI Agents also expressed dismay over the purported attempts to push out officials without justification. “We are deeply concerned by reports of FBI personnel being pressured to resign, retire, or face immediate dismissal without cause,” the organization remarked. “These individuals are being deprived of explanations for such actions and are being denied the requisite due process.”
Refusing to comply with a directive to terminate a significant number of agents involved in January 6th cases, Driscoll exhibited resolute resistance which led to speculation about potential repercussions, as shared by current and former FBI officials with NBC News. A circulated message within the bureau encapsulated the event as follows: “In essence— the Department of Justice (DOJ) sought to terminate several J6 agents. Driscoll stood firm and directed the White House proxy and DOJ to F— Off.” A former FBI official familiar with Driscoll’s actions commended his staunch opposition, describing him as “unyielding.”
Contrary to the assertions of certain current and former officials, a senior FBI official refuted the claims, stating, “The accounts provided are inaccurate.”
