WASHINGTON — In a significant move reflecting the administration’s efforts to tighten its grip on federal law enforcement, a group of prosecutors linked to the January 6 criminal cases was dismissed on Friday. Additionally, the administration sought the names of FBI agents involved in the investigations to facilitate potential dismissals, indicating a concerted push to remove career staff viewed as insufficiently loyal.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered the firings of these prosecutors just days after President Donald Trump issued a pardon benefiting more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to a memo, around two dozen employees from the Washington U.S. attorney’s office were let go, as shared by a source who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter.
A different memo authored by Bove specifically identified over seven senior FBI executives who have been directed to either retire or face termination by Monday. Furthermore, he requested a detailed list of all FBI personnel working on the January 6 investigation—information that could potentially include thousands of names. Bove, who had previously defended Trump in his criminal cases, mentioned that officials at the Justice Department would subsequently conduct a review to assess the necessity of additional personnel actions.
In a communication to the FBI workforce, acting Director Brian Driscoll emphasized a commitment to upholding the law and FBI policy, ensuring that any actions taken are in the best interest of both the workforce and the American public.
The terminated prosecutors, who were initially hired for temporary assignments related to the January 6 cases, had been transitioned into permanent roles following Trump’s election victory in November, as detailed in the obtained memo. Bove stated his intention not to tolerate what he termed “subversive personnel actions” from the former administration.
Widespread firings at the FBI would undermine the agency’s historically independent stance from presidential influence, yet would align with Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape law enforcement and intelligence agencies to fit his administration’s agenda. This pattern of retribution is underscored by the recent dismissals of several senior FBI executives and the firings of prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team who were investigating Trump.
The FBI Agents Association condemned the reported firings as “outrageous actions” that conflict with the law enforcement goals outlined by Trump and his professed support for FBI agents. They warned that the dismissal of numerous agents could severely compromise the Bureau’s ability to safeguard the nation from both national security and criminal threats, potentially setting the agency and its new leadership up for failure.
The process available for terminated agents is well-established, suggesting that sudden actions contravening protocol could invite legal challenges. During his confirmation hearing, Trump’s nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, expressed uncertainty about any intended actions against FBI employees involved in Trump’s investigations. He committed to respecting the internal review processes of the FBI, addressing concerns raised by Democratic Senator Cory Booker regarding potential reversals of prior actions not adhering to standard procedures.
Patel’s past comments included criticisms aimed at what he described as anti-Trump conspirators within the government and media, reinforcing his strong stance against those he believes threaten the former president.
For years, Trump has publicly denounced the FBI and Justice Department for their investigations that cast a shadow over his presidency. This includes the inquiry into possible collusion between Russia and his 2016 campaign, lasting through the subsequent years. Notably, he dismissed one FBI director amid the Russia investigation and replaced the second within weeks following his victory.
When questioned at the White House regarding his influence over the scrutiny of FBI agents, Trump denied any involvement but labeled some agents as “very bad.” He asserted that there was unprecedented weaponization against individuals like himself and noted that any firings within the agency could be beneficial.
The FBI and Special Counsel Smith’s team have investigated Trump concerning his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Both cases resulted in charges that were subsequently withdrawn after Trump’s victory due to a long-standing Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
Moreover, the Justice Department prosecuted over 1,500 of Trump’s supporters for their roles in the Capitol riot. However, on his first day in office, Trump granted clemency to all those charged, including individuals convicted of violent offenses, through a series of pardons and sentence commutations.
Just this week, the Justice Department dismissed more than a dozen prosecutors involved in investigations led by Smith, while multiple senior FBI executives have faced directives to resign, retire, or face termination come Monday.
