FBI employees were directed to complete a questionnaire on Sunday detailing any involvement in criminal cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The memo, seen by Reuters, asks employees for their job titles, roles in investigations, and supervisory duties.
Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough acknowledged concerns, stating he was working to provide answers. Responses are due by Monday at 3 p.m. ET. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment. Critics accuse Trump’s team of purging officials involved in cases against him and Jan. 6 rioters.
On Jan. 20, Trump pardoned all individuals convicted in connection with the attack. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has since demanded a list of all FBI employees who worked on Jan. 6 cases and a Hamas-related prosecution. He fired eight senior FBI officials and more than a dozen Justice Department prosecutors involved in cases against Trump.
National security lawyer Mark Zaid warned Bove that exposing employees could endanger them, vowing legal action if necessary. Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll confirmed thousands of staff, including himself and Deputy Director Robert Kissane, were affected by Bove’s order.
Despite concerns, emails from the FBI Agents Association and New York Assistant Director James Dennehy clarified that no additional employees were asked to resign. However, some began clearing their desks in fear of termination.
Dennehy described the situation as a “battle” against unjust removals, commending leadership for defending the agency. He assured staff that, apart from those named in Bove’s memo, no further removals had been ordered.
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