Sacked agents sue FBI, saying they were punished for taking the knee

December 9, 2025

Twelve former FBI agents have filed a lawsuit claiming they were wrongfully terminated for kneeling during a 2020 racial justice protest in Washington DC following George Floyd's killing. The agents argue they used the kneeling gesture as a tactical decision to de-escalate a dangerous confrontation with protesters, despite being inadequately prepared for the situation. Their dismissal letters, which arrived more than five years after the incident, cited a "lack of impartiality," and the agents believe FBI Director Kash Patel ordered their terminations due to perceived political disloyalty to President Trump.

Who is affected

Twelve fired FBI agents (nine women and three men)
FBI Director Kash Patel (named as defendant)
President Donald Trump (indirectly referenced regarding political affiliations)
Former FBI acting director Brian Driscoll and others (who filed a separate related lawsuit)
The FBI organization as a whole
The Department of Justice

What action is being taken

The twelve former agents are filing/pursuing a lawsuit in the District of Columbia
The agents are seeking reinstatement in their positions and back pay
Kash Patel is working as FBI director (described by the White House as "working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI")

Why it matters

This case raises significant concerns about potential political interference in law enforcement agencies and whether personnel decisions at the FBI are being made based on perceived political loyalty rather than professional conduct. The timing of the dismissals—more than five years after the incident and following reviews by both the FBI and Department of Justice that apparently found no issue at the time—suggests possible retribution. The case also highlights broader tensions about how law enforcement should respond to civil unrest and whether de-escalation tactics can be punished retrospectively based on their political optics.

What's next

The civil case will proceed through the District of Columbia court system as the agents pursue their claims for reinstatement and back pay.

Read full article from source: BBC