FBI fires agents pictured kneeling at George Floyd protest, US media reports

September 27, 2025

The FBI has reportedly terminated between 15 to 20 agents who knelt during a 2020 racial justice protest in Washington DC following George Floyd's death. The FBI Agents Association has criticized this mass firing as a violation of the agents' rights, while the FBI itself has declined to comment on the reports. This action appears to align with the Trump administration's efforts to remove what it considers "woke" policies and officials from federal government.

Who is affected

Between 15 to 20 FBI agents who were fired
The FBI Agents Association
Previously fired FBI officials (Brian Driscoll, Steven Jensen, and Spencer Evans)
The broader FBI workforce

What action is being taken

The FBI is firing agents who were photographed kneeling at a 2020 racial justice protest
The FBI Agents Association is condemning the terminations
Three former FBI agents are suing FBI Director Kash Patel and US Attorney General Pam Bondi
The Trump administration is working to remove what it considers left-wing and "woke" elements from the federal government

Why it matters

The firings represent a significant disciplinary action against agents who participated in or showed solidarity with racial justice protests
The terminations reflect tensions between political positions and professional conduct for law enforcement
The mass firing indicates the Trump administration's approach toward federal employees who have demonstrated support for racial justice movements
The incident highlights ongoing debates about the meaning of kneeling as either a de-escalation tactic or a political statement

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC