Twelve former FBI agents have filed a lawsuit against their previous employer, alleging that their dismissals were retaliatory actions taken because they participated in a racial justice protest in Washington, D.C., five years ago. The agents argue that their decision to kneel during the protest was aimed at reducing tensions in an emotionally charged environment following the tragic death of George Floyd.
Allegations of unlawful termination
In their legal filing, the ex-agents assert that their actions were misinterpreted as a lack of impartiality in their duties. They contend that FBI director Kash Patel, named as a defendant in the lawsuit, ordered their termination. The agents received letters that accused them of exhibiting “a lack of impartiality,” but they maintain that their kneeling was a strategic move to de-escalate a volatile situation.
On June 4, 2020, amid rising tensions following Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, the agents found themselves in a precarious situation. They reported being “confronted by a mob” as they sought to maintain order in the capital. According to their claims, they collectively decided to kneel, a gesture that had been previously used to ease tensions between law enforcement and communities during the nationwide unrest.
Seeking justice and reinstatement
The former agents have expressed that their actions were not only justified but also reviewed by the FBI and the Department of Justice at the time. However, they received termination letters more than five years after the protest. They are now seeking reinstatement to their former positions along with compensation for lost wages.
“We avoided triggering violence by assuming a kneeling posture,” the group stated in their legal complaint, emphasizing their intent to act in the community’s best interest.
The plaintiffs also believe they were targeted for their choice of tactics, which they claim was perceived as a lack of loyalty to then-President Donald Trump, who was in office during the protests. Under Patel’s leadership, the FBI has faced scrutiny for alleged politically motivated firings, a claim Patel has consistently denied.
The legal actions from these twelve agents follow a similar lawsuit filed by former FBI acting director Brian Driscoll and others, who also allege wrongful termination linked to political motivations. The civil case is currently being processed in the District of Columbia.