In a dramatic move, the FBI has dismissed roughly 20 agents who were photographed kneeling during racial justice protests in Washington, D.C., following the 2020 death of George Floyd.
The agents, who were initially reassigned earlier this year, were formally terminated this month, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The agency has not released an official statement confirming the number of terminations, but insiders indicate that the decision reflects a broader initiative under FBI Director Kash Patel to reshape the bureau’s operations.
The kneeling gesture, widely associated with solidarity against police brutality and systemic racism, sparked immediate controversy when images of the agents surfaced.
Critics argued that federal law enforcement officers participating in political demonstrations could compromise the perceived impartiality of the agency, while others defended the agents’ right to express personal convictions.
Patel, who was appointed as FBI Director earlier this year, has overseen sweeping personnel changes at the bureau, often targeting employees perceived as politically misaligned or overly vocal in public forums.
The recent firings are part of a larger effort by Patel to address concerns about political bias within the FBI, as well as to restore what he describes as “operational integrity” and neutrality in