A dozen fired FBI agents are suing FBI Director Kash Patel and the DOJ, claiming they were unlawfully terminated for kneeling during 2020 riots to prevent violence, exposing potential political retaliation within America’s premier law enforcement agency.
Story Highlights
- Twelve former FBI agents filed federal lawsuit alleging wrongful termination for kneeling during 2020 Floyd riots
- Agents claim they used tactical kneeling to de-escalate dangerous crowd situations and prevent violence
- Lawsuit targets FBI Director Kash Patel and AG Pam Bondi for alleged political retaliation
- Terminated agents include experienced counterterrorism specialists and senior FBI leadership
Tactical Decision Under Fire
On December 8, 2025, twelve former FBI agents filed a federal civil lawsuit in Washington D.C., seeking reinstatement after being terminated for their actions during June 4, 2020 civil unrest.
The agents claim they were confronted by a hostile mob including families with children while patrolling Washington streets following George Floyd’s death. According to the lawsuit, agents made a tactical decision to kneel to prevent dangerous physical contact with civilians and avoid escalation to violence.
Fired FBI agents file lawsuit against FBI director Kash Patel and DOJ, alleging unlawful retaliation https://t.co/iGxpsC863I
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Senior Leadership Targeted in Purge
The terminated agents include high-ranking FBI officials with extensive experience in counterterrorism and criminal investigations.
Plaintiff Jane Doe 5, a Deputy Assistant Director overseeing counterintelligence at FBI Headquarters, was specifically informed she was being removed at Director Patel’s direction solely because she kneeled on June 4, 2020.
The agents possessed over 15 years of experience combating criminals and terrorism threats, representing significant institutional knowledge lost to political considerations.
Inadequate Equipment and Training Cited
The lawsuit reveals systemic failures in FBI preparation for civil unrest operations. Agents deployed to show visible law enforcement presence wore FBI-marked vests and carried firearms but lacked riot shields, gas masks, helmets, or tactical gear necessary for crowd control.
They received no proper instruction for managing civil disturbances, forcing them to make split-second decisions with inadequate resources. This operational failure undermines the FBI’s effectiveness and places agents in impossible situations.
Political Retaliation Pattern Emerges
The agents cite Patel’s book “Government Gangsters” as evidence of partisan motivation, where he advocated removing government employees who “won’t undermine the president’s agenda.”
Their attorney Mary Dohrmann warned that “internal FBI processes are being subverted in a way that makes us all less safe.” This lawsuit joins other federal cases filed by former FBI Acting Director Brian Driscoll and Capitol riot investigation agents, suggesting a broader pattern of political purges within federal law enforcement.
Constitutional Concerns Rise
The case raises serious questions about politicization of federal law enforcement agencies under the current administration. When experienced agents face termination for tactical decisions made during dangerous situations, it undermines the FBI’s ability to protect Americans effectively.
The lawsuit argues Patel’s actions were motivated by partisan animus rather than fair evaluation of facts, potentially violating constitutional protections for federal employees. This erosion of institutional integrity threatens the rule of law that conservative Americans value.
