The FBI has reportedly dismissed a number of agents, potentially as many as 20, for kneeling during a civil rights protest in Washington D.C. following the death of George Floyd in 2020. This action, revealed by sources familiar with the situation, stems from their participation in a protest where they were seen taking a knee—an action interpreted by some as an attempt to de-escalate tensions with the demonstrators, rather than a political gesture.
Most of the agents in question were previously part of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and had been reassigned earlier in the year. Yet, the recent firings have sparked controversy and concern. The FBI has so far refrained from commenting on the specifics of these dismissals.
The FBI Agents Association has expressed strong opposition to the firings, arguing that the termination of over a dozen agents, including military veterans, could destabilize the Bureau. The association accuses FBI Director Kash Patel of establishing a troubling trend that could weaken the organization by eroding essential expertise, diminishing trust between leadership and agents, and complicating recruitment and retention efforts.
The firings have prompted a debate about internal policies, political expression, and the potential impacts on the morale and effectiveness of the FBI. The association’s statement underscores the broader concerns about leadership decisions potentially undermining the agency’s foundational stability and national security roles.