The FBI has removed at least three senior officials, including a former acting director and key figures involved in the January 6 investigations, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Fox News.
The moves, which some insiders are describing as “retribution,” come amid rising internal scrutiny of the bureau’s handling of politically sensitive cases.
Brian Driscoll, who briefly served as acting director of the FBI before the confirmation of current FBI Director Kash Patel, was among those informed he must depart by Friday.
Also removed were Walter Giardina, a special agent who took part in the investigation of former Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro, and Steven Jensen, the acting director of the Washington Field Office, who played a leading role in the January 6 probe.
No official reason was given to the individuals for their dismissal, and additional removals are expected before the end of the week, according to sources. The total number of personnel affected and their current roles within the bureau remain unclear.
A Fox News report revealed that the firings follow months of internal activity focused on agents tied to the Capitol riot investigations.
In February, thousands of FBI employees were required to complete a detailed questionnaire asking whether they had participated in the January 6 investigations, whether they testified in related trials, and when they last worked on related cases.
Concerns of retaliation intensified later that same month when then-Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered the FBI to compile a list of all current and former employees involved in any aspect of the January 6 cases.
The list reportedly included detailed personnel data, such as names, titles, unique identifiers, and current assignments.
The internal review and removals have prompted legal action. Nine current FBI employees filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court earlier this year, citing fear that the list could endanger their careers and compromise the bureau’s operational integrity.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro declined to answer questions related to the removals during a press conference held Thursday morning.
At the time of the February questionnaire, President Donald Trump declined to directly address whether his administration would remove agents who worked on January 6 investigations, but said the bureau had become “corrupt” and voiced confidence that Director Kash Patel would “straighten it out.”
The FBI has more than 52 field offices across the country. Former Justice Department officials have raised concerns that retaliation against agents involved in politically charged investigations could damage morale and create a chilling effect within the bureau.
