George Floyd (left) and FBI Director Kash PatelTwelve former FBI agents have filed a lawsuit against FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, claiming they were unlawfully terminated earlier this year.
The agents assert that their dismissals were politically motivated rather than based on any misconduct, marking another legal challenge for Patel and Bondi over staffing decisions in the Bureau.
The lawsuit states that the agents were removed in September 2025 due to their actions during the 2020 George Floyd protests in Washington, D.C., where they briefly knelt to calm a volatile crowd.
They argue the move was a tactical decision, not a political gesture, and that an internal FBI review had cleared them of wrongdoing.
Despite being exonerated by both an internal inquiry and a Department of Justice inspector general investigation, the agents say Patel abruptly fired them after taking office. Each received a termination letter accusing them of “unprofessional conduct” and failing to maintain neutrality.
The complaint describes Patel and Bondi’s actions as an “astounding lack of professionalism,” arguing that the mass firings violated the agents’ First and Fifth Amendment rights. The former agents claim the dismissals were a form of political retaliation and a misuse of government authority.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement, back pay, and the removal of termination records, along with a court declaration affirming that the agents’ constitutional rights were violated and that the firings were carried out in bad faith.
This case adds to ongoing controversy surrounding Patel’s leadership, which has included the dismissal of both senior and junior staff.
Critics say the personnel changes have destabilized the Bureau and raised concerns about partisan interference in law enforcement.