Thousands of personnel within the FBI who were involved in probes related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol are being requested to fill out detailed questionnaires regarding their participation in these investigations. This development comes as the Justice Department under the Trump administration considers potential disciplinary measures which could lead to terminations.
According to an anonymous source familiar with the situation, the questions in the questionnaire seek information about the employees’ titles and roles, as well as their specific contributions to the January 6 investigations. This includes whether they took part in executing search warrants, conducted interviews, or provided testimonies in court.
This initiative aligns with an unusual directive issued by the Justice Department, which demands a comprehensive list of names, positions, and offices of all FBI staff engaged in investigations related to the January 6 events. On that day, rioters supportive of Trump breached the Capitol, resulting in violent confrontations with law enforcement amid an effort to obstruct the certification of the election results.
A memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who previously represented Trump in his criminal cases, indicated that the Justice Department plans to undertake a review process to determine if further personnel actions are warranted.
This scrutiny follows the recent forced resignations of several high-ranking FBI officials, the reassignment of multiple significant career officials at the Justice Department, and the dismissal of around two dozen employees from the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington in connection with January 6 probes.
Focusing on career agents is particularly unusual, given that rank-and-file FBI agents typically do not choose the cases they work on, nor do they generally face disciplinary action for their involvement in politically sensitive cases. Moreover, there has been no evidence suggesting any misconduct by the FBI agents or attorneys involved in these investigations or prosecutions.
Out of over 1,500 individuals charged with federal offenses related to the January 6 riot, more than 1,000 have pleaded guilty—over 200 of whom admitted to assault. Additionally, around 250 individuals have been found guilty by a judge or jury following trials.
Estimates suggest that approximately 4,000 agents, analysts, and other staff received the questionnaires, according to the source. These questionnaires were distributed on Sunday, with a deadline for submission set for Monday.
In a separate memo to its members, the FBI Agents Association stated that it is looking into the details surrounding the surveys but emphasized that receiving one does not imply any wrongdoing. The memo expressed understanding that this situation may give the impression of targeting agents and staff, despite ongoing assurances that all FBI personnel would be safeguarded from political retaliation.
The memo reiterated, “Employees carrying out their duties to investigate allegations of criminal activity with integrity and within the rule of law should never be treated as those who have engaged in actual misconduct.” Additionally, it highlighted that should any misconduct allegations arise, the FBI has established protocols that ensure due process in line with operational policies and legal standards.
Employees have been advised to clarify on their surveys that they lack clear information about how their responses may be utilized and to affirm that their actions during the January 6 investigations adhered to federal law, FBI guidelines, and constitutional principles.
