Former FBI Agents Sue Over Termination Following 2020 Protest
Twelve former agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have filed a civil lawsuit in the District of Columbia, alleging unlawful termination from their positions. The plaintiffs, comprising nine women and three men, are seeking reinstatement and back pay.
Incident Overview
The agents assert their dismissal relates to an incident that occurred on June 4, 2020, during a racial justice protest in Washington D.C. The protest took place in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis.
According to their legal filing, the agents were deployed to a situation they described as "dangerous" and for which they felt "ill-prepared." They claim they made a "considered tactical decision" to kneel during the protest. This action, as stated in their complaint, was intended to de-escalate tensions and "avoid triggering violence" between law enforcement and protestors.
Grounds for Termination and Allegations of Bias
- The agents' termination letters cited "a lack of impartiality" in their duties.
- The dismissals were issued more than five years after the protest incident.
- FBI boss Kash Patel is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, with the plaintiffs alleging their firings were ordered under his direction.
- The former agents contend they were "targeted" because their tactics on that day led to a "perceived lack of affiliation" with then-President Donald Trump, who was in office during the protests.
Patel has previously denied accusations that personnel changes at the agency were politically motivated. The White House has stated that Patel is "a critical member of the president's team" who is "working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI."
Related Legal Actions
This lawsuit follows a separate legal action filed by former FBI acting director Brian Driscoll and others, who also allege politically motivated termination. The FBI has declined to comment on the ongoing case.