FBI Director Kash Patel Fires Dozen Agents Linked to Trump Probes
Kash Patel dismissed about a dozen FBI employees after alleging special counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed his and Susie Wiles's phone toll records during Trump investigations.
Overview
FBI Director Kash Patel fired roughly a dozen employees over two days who had worked on probes into Donald Trump, multiple sources said.
Patel said the dismissals followed revelations that special counsel Jack Smith had subpoenaed Patel's and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles's phone toll records while they were private citizens.
The FBI Agents Association condemned the terminations, saying the employees were fired without due process and that the moves weaken the Bureau, the association said.
Sources said at least 10 employees were fired on Wednesday with additional dismissals on Thursday, totaling roughly a dozen terminations over two days.
Patel said he recently ended the FBI's ability to categorize files as "Prohibited," and the personnel changes follow earlier removals of Justice Department prosecutors and FBI staff tied to Trump investigations.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as evidence of politicized purges by emphasizing timelines, omitted rebuttals, and critical institutional voices. They foreground Patel’s phone-records claim, quote the FBI Agents Association’s condemnation, and list dropped cases and DOJ actions since Trump’s return. Direct quotes are source content; the framing comes from selection and organization of facts.
Sources (12)
FAQ
Kash Patel is an American lawyer and government official serving as FBI Director since 2025 in Donald Trump's second administration. He previously held various roles in Trump's first term, including on the National Security Council and as chief of staff to the acting Secretary of Defense.
The firings were triggered by FBI Director Kash Patel's allegation that special counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed his and Susie Wiles's phone toll records during Trump investigations, after which about a dozen employees linked to Trump probes were dismissed over two days.
Roughly a dozen FBI employees were fired over two days, with at least 10 terminated on Wednesday and additional dismissals on Thursday.
The FBI Agents Association condemned the terminations, stating the employees were fired without due process and that the moves weaken the Bureau.
Patel recently ended the FBI's ability to categorize files as 'Prohibited,' following earlier removals of Justice Department prosecutors and FBI staff tied to Trump investigations.
History
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