The FBI has removed multiple senior officials, including former acting director Brian Driscoll and agents tied to high-profile January 6 prosecutions, as part of a sweeping internal overhaul. The departures come under the leadership of FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, both of whom were appointed under President Trump’s second term with a mandate to reshape the bureau’s leadership and culture.
Brian Driscoll, who served briefly as acting director in early 2025, was notified this week that his tenure would end by Friday. Driscoll had reportedly resisted demands from the Trump-aligned Department of Justice to release the names of FBI agents involved in politically sensitive investigations related to the January 6 Capitol riot. Rather than comply, Driscoll provided anonymized identification numbers to protect the agents’ identities. DOJ officials, including Emil Bove, viewed this as insubordination.
Also removed were Walter Giardina, a senior agent involved in the prosecution of former White House aide Peter Navarro, and Steven Jensen, who recently led the Washington Field Office. None of the ousted officials were provided specific reasons for their dismissal, though internal sources described the move as political retribution against those who had resisted executive demands or taken part in investigations seen as targeting Trump allies.
The shake-up is part of a broader realignment within the FBI that has reached into mid- and senior-level ranks across several key field offices. Agents involved in social justice initiatives, as well as those previously engaged in the Trump-Russia probe, have reportedly been reassigned, placed on administrative leave, or encouraged to resign.
The removals have drawn concern from within the bureau, with internal morale reportedly falling as veteran personnel are shown the door without formal explanation. Critics argue that the restructuring may weaken institutional knowledge and undercut longstanding operational protocols, while supporters contend the changes are necessary to restore public trust and ensure that the bureau operates without political favoritism.
The FBI has not issued a public statement on the specific reasons for the firings, and affected agents have not yet indicated whether they plan to contest the decisions through legal or administrative channels.
