WASHINGTON, USA — The Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, has complied with a Justice Department demand to turn over details of thousands of employees involved in January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot investigations.
This has sparked fear among agents that the information could be used for political retribution under the Trump administration.
According to multiple sources, more than 5,000 FBI employee records—including ID numbers, job titles, and roles in the investigations—were submitted to the Justice Department.
The move followed a memo issued Friday by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, which set a Tuesday, February 4, 2025, deadline for compliance.
The directive, titled “Terminations,” follows the firing of eight senior FBI officials, including those overseeing cyber, national security, and criminal investigations.
The disclosure has alarmed FBI employees, many of whom worry that the Trump administration could use the data to identify and remove agents who worked on cases tied to the former president.
Lawsuit Filed Against DOJ Over “Purging” Efforts
In response, several anonymous FBI employees filed a class-action lawsuit against the Justice Department on Tuesday, alleging that the demand for information violated constitutional rights and privacy laws.
“The very act of compiling lists of persons who worked on matters that upset Donald Trump is retaliatory in nature, intended to intimidate FBI agents and other personnel and to discourage them from reporting any future malfeasance,” the lawsuit claims.
According to the complaint, agents were required to complete a survey detailing their involvement in the January 6 investigations, including whether they executed arrests, participated in grand jury investigations, or testified at trials
The plaintiffs are seeking a court order blocking the administration from using or releasing the information.
Pushback From FBI Agents and Advocacy Groups
The effort to dismiss FBI personnel involved in Trump-related probes has faced resistance, even from within the bureau.
FBI Director Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist, testified before the Senate last week, pledging that there would be a review process rather than blanket terminations.
However, Friday’s memo from Bove outlined a process that could still lead to further removals.
“Upon receipt of the requested information, the office of the deputy attorney general will commence a review process to determine whether any additional personnel actions are necessary,” Bove wrote.
The FBI Agents Association has warned its members not to resign, calling the effort a “purge” in an email obtained by CNN.
“Do NOT resign or offer to resign,” the email said.
“While we would never advocate for physical non-compliance, you need to be clear your removal is not voluntary.”
Tensions Escalate as Legal Challenges Mount
Attorneys for fired prosecutors and FBI agents have also threatened legal action, calling the terminations a “violation of due process rights.”
“If you proceed with terminations and/or public exposure of terminated employees’ identities, we stand ready to vindicate their rights through all available legal means,” the lawyers wrote to Bove in a letter sent Sunday night.
The letter further warned that if the names of the FBI agents became public, they would be at risk of doxing, swatting, harassment, or worse.
Federal judges have since granted anonymity to the FBI agents who filed lawsuits, citing concerns about potential harassment and threats.
Chief Judge James Boasberg of the D.C. District Court noted that January 6 rioters, including those pardoned by Trump, have actively sought to expose FBI agents’ identities.
Boasberg ruled that the plaintiffs’ names would be shared confidentially with the Justice Department but would not be publicly disclosed.
Elon Musk’s Presence at FBI Headquarters Raises Questions
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been seen at FBI headquarters, with sources indicating that he is involved in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The purpose of Musk’s presence remains unclear, but his involvement has added to speculation about the Trump administration’s plans for FBI restructuring.
FBI Resistance and Political Fallout
Many within the FBI were already bracing for changes following Trump’s election victory, but the scope of the administration’s actions has shocked even those who have criticized FBI leadership in the past.
The top agent in the FBI’s New York field office has told colleagues he is digging a “foxhole” to protect them from potential retaliation.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups representing federal law enforcement officers have urged Congress to intervene and prevent a broad purge of career FBI officials.
What Comes Next?
The lawsuits challenging the Justice Department’s actions will now proceed under federal judges, and legal battles over due process rights, privacy protections, and potential political retaliation are expected to intensify.
With Trump’s administration accelerating efforts to reshape the FBI, tensions between the White House, federal law enforcement, and the judiciary are likely to escalate further in the coming weeks.
