Kash Patel Fires 10 FBI Staffers Involved In Trump Classified Documents Probe
Topline
FBI Director Kash Patel ordered the firing of at least 10 staffers at the agency who were involved in the federal investigation into President Donald Trump’s mishandling of classified documents, according to multiple reports on Wednesday, in a move that continues a broader crackdown on officials who were involved in federal prosecutions of the President before his return to office.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel disclosed that his phone records had been subpoenaed by the agency in 2022 and 2023 during Biden’s term as part of the probe into Trump.
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Key Facts
Citing unnamed sources, CNN reported that the firings are part of a wider internal investigation into actions taken in the classified documents case.
The New York Times, which corroborated the firings, reported that more such dismissals are expected.
The news of the firings comes just hours after Reuters reported the FBI had subpoenaed records of phone calls made by Patel and current White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles back in 2022 and 2023 as part of the federal investigation into Trump.
Patel appeared to argue that the seizure of the phone records represented overreach by the Biden administration, telling Reuters that it was “outrageous and deeply alarming.”
Despite the FBI director’s criticism, requests for phone records are a routine occurrence in major criminal investigations—including records of prominent people.
It is unclear whether the fired FBI staffers were involved in subpoenaing the records or if they have been accused of any wrongdoing.
Crucial Quote
“It is outrageous and deeply alarming that the previous FBI leadership secretly subpoenaed my own phone records – along with those of now White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles – using flimsy pretexts and burying the entire process in prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight,” Patel told Reuters.
Chief Crtic
The FBI Agents Association, which represents active and former agents, condemned the firings in a statement, saying: “The FBIAA condemns today’s unlawful termination of FBI Special Agents, which—like other firings by Director Patel—violates the due process rights of those who risk their lives to protect our country,” the association said. “These actions weaken the Bureau by stripping away critical expertise and destabilizing the workforce, undermining trust in leadership and jeopardizing the Bureau’s ability to meet its recruitment goals—ultimately putting the nation at greater risk.”
Tangent
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who bought two sets of criminal charges against Trump—for his alleged bid to overturn the 2020 election results and his handling of classified documents after leaving office— testified before Congress last month. In his testimony, Smith told Congress he was proud of the work his team did, adding: “We followed Justice Department policies, observed legal requirements, and took actions based on the facts and the law. I made my decisions without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs, or candidacy in the 2024 election.” Smith also said expects to be prosecuted by the Trump administration as a result of him bringing charges against Trump.
Section Title
FBI obtained Kash Patel and Susie Wiles phone records during Biden administration (Reuters)
Jack Smith Says He Thinks Trump’s DOJ Will Do ‘Everything In Their Power’ To Indict Him (Forbes)