Several senior officials at the FBI have been ordered to retire, resign, or be fired as President Trump's attempts to clean out a Justice Department weaponized under the Biden administration continue.
CNN reported that "at least six" leaders at the executive assistant director or special agent in charge level have been given their walking papers. Some of those involved learned of their pending ouster as President Trump's nominee for FBI director was deftly handling questioning by senators at his confirmation hearing on Thursday.
The Washington Post confirmed that the officials received the ultimatum and attempted to demonstrate that the news was proof Patel was dishonest about not purging personnel based on politics.
"These officials didn’t have anything to do with prosecutions of Donald Trump," CNN's report counters.
JUST IN - Several senior FBI leaders promoted by former Director Christopher Wray have been demoted or reassigned — CNN
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 30, 2025
CNN indicates the move has raised "consternation" and "anxiety" within the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The personnel moves come as hundreds of FBI agents who were assigned to investigate the January 6 US Capitol attack and Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents are bracing for the possibility that they could be forced out or punished, similar to what has happened to dozens of career Justice Department lawyers.
Anxiety is good. They should be worried if they worked at the DOJ and FBI and allowed their positions to be exploited for political purposes rather than the cause of justice.
Acting Attorney General James McHenry informed around a dozen former Special Counsel Jack Smith staffers on Monday that their services were no longer required.
“You played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump. The proper functioning of government critically depends on the trust superior officials place in their subordinates,” McHenry wrote.
“Given your significant role in prosecuting the President, I do not believe that the leadership of the Department can trust you to assist in implementing the President’s agenda faithfully.”
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Naturally, the media is attempting to Jedi mind trick the public into thinking these cleanouts at the Justice Department are an example of the weaponization of government.
In reality, they are purges of a department and bureau that wielded power in an attempt to criminalize political opponents at a level this nation has rarely seen. Actual weaponization of government.
Patel demonstrated that reality during his hearing, indicating personnel changes would never take politics into consideration.
“Are you aware of any plans or discussions to punish in any way, including termination, FBI agents or personnel associated with Trump investigations?” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) asked.
Patel replied, "I am not aware of that, senator."
JUST IN:
— AmericanPapaBear (@AmericaPapaBear) January 30, 2025
Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) "Will you protect the FBI agents who worked with Jack Smith from any Trump retribution?"
Kash: "All FBI agents will be protected from political retribution."
Blumenthal: "That was your first test and you failed."
Kash: "For saying all agents… pic.twitter.com/6RFXMA4eKn
According to the Post, the senior FBI leaders were informed of their ultimatums as Patel was being questioned.
“Every FBI employee will be held to the absolute same standard, and no one will be terminated for case assignments,” Patel told Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
Officials from Trump's transition team have indicated intentions to replace leaders who former FBI Director Christopher Wray promoted. At least some of these latest officials to be forced out, the Post writes, fell into that category.
Wray resigned at the end of the Biden administration as President Trump made clear his intentions to fire the beleaguered Director.
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