SAEDNEWS: The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, three people familiar with the matter said Friday.
Last spring, the FBI reassigned several agents, but recent reports indicate that approximately 20 employees have since been fired, according to sources speaking anonymously to The Associated Press. The exact number remains unclear, but insiders confirm it is significant.
The controversy centers on photographs showing agents taking a knee during protests following George Floyd’s death in May 2020—a pivotal moment in the U.S. that ignited nationwide discussions about policing and racial justice. While some in the bureau viewed the gesture as inappropriate, others understood it as a de-escalation tactic amid widespread demonstrations.
The FBI Agents Association condemned the firings, noting that several of the dismissed agents were military veterans with legal protections. The association criticized FBI Director Kash Patel, arguing that the actions violated the constitutional and legal rights of employees and called on Congress to investigate.
“These agents were not given fair treatment or due process,” the association stated. “Instead, their rights were ignored in a move that appears to bypass the bureau’s legal procedures.”
The firings occur amid broader organizational changes under Director Patel, who has been reshaping the bureau. Last month alone, five agents and top executives were reportedly summarily dismissed, contributing to declining morale within the agency.
Among those affected are agents involved in high-profile investigations, including oversight of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and inquiries into classified documents related to former President Donald Trump. Lawsuits filed by some former supervisors allege political pressure influenced the terminations, though Patel denies acting on White House directives.
This episode offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the United States’ most secretive institutions, highlighting tensions between law enforcement, politics, and employee rights—a story that resonates far beyond the bureau’s walls.
