The FBI has fired roughly 20 agents who were photographed kneeling during racial justice protests following George Floyd’s death in May 2020, sources told the Associated Press. The agents had been reassigned last spring but have now been officially terminated. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment.
The protests, sparked by Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, led to nationwide demonstrations demanding police accountability. The kneeling photos appeared to show the agents expressing solidarity with the movement.
The firings are part of a broader personnel shakeup under FBI Director Kash Patel, who is working to reshape the agency. Last month, several top-level executives and agents were also summarily dismissed, including figures involved in investigations of the January 6 Capitol riot and other high-profile cases.
Some of the ousted officials, including Steve Jensen, Brian Driscoll, and Spencer Evans, filed a lawsuit alleging that Patel was aware the firings were “likely illegal” but unable to prevent them due to pressure from the White House and Justice Department to remove agents who had investigated former President Trump. Patel has denied taking orders from the White House, asserting that all dismissed employees failed to meet FBI standards.
The move has reportedly contributed to declining morale within the bureau, raising concerns about the impact of political influence on federal law enforcement.
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