The Trump administration is firing three senior FBI officials in a leadership purge, according to multiple reports.
Sources speaking with various media outlets said the White House was ousting Brian Driscoll, a senior FBI official who briefly served as the agency’s acting director in the early days of the Trump administration; Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office Steven Jensen; and Washington-based Special Agent Walter Giardina.
An FBI spokesperson declined Newsweek‘s request for comment via email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Under the leadership of FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, the FBI has undergone major internal changes in the past few months, including the reassignment or forced resignation of numerous senior officials, including special agents in charge of several major field offices. Some agents have also been subjected to polygraph exams, The New York Times reported last month.
No reason has been offered for this week’s personnel changes, though all three officials had previously clashed with the administration—sparking concerns of political retaliation.
What To Know
The Associated Press reported on the firings on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter and internal FBI documents.
Driscoll, who has worked for the FBI for almost two decades, clashed with the Trump administration earlier this year when he refused to hand over the names of FBI agents who had participated in the investigation into the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. He opted instead to provide anonymized data.
In April, Jensen’s appointment sparked backlash from some Trump supporters because of his previous oversight of the FBI’s domestic terrorism section following the Capitol riot.
Meanwhile, Giardina worked on an investigation into Russian links to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. He was also involved in the arrest of Peter Navarro, a Trump trade adviser who refused to testify about January 6.
What People Are Saying
Brian Driscoll wrote in a message to colleagues: “I understand that you may have a lot of questions regarding why, for which I have no answers. No cause has been articulated at this time.
“Please know that it has been the honor of my life to serve alongside each of you. Thank you for allowing me to stand on your shoulders throughout it all. Our collective sacrifices for those we serve is, and will always be, worth it. I regret nothing. You are my heroes, and I remain in your debt.”
Steven Jensen said in an email to colleagues: “I intend to meet this challenge like any other I have faced in this organization, with professionalism, integrity and dignity.”
The FBI Agents Association said in a statement that it was concerned by reports of the firings of senior leaders and was reviewing all legal options to defend its members, adding: “There is a review process when employment actions are taken against agents. The process was established so that the FBI could remain independent and apolitical. FBI leadership committed—both publicly and directly to FBIAA—that they would abide by that process. We urge them to honor that commitment and follow the law.”
Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, said: “The continued purging of experienced, nonpartisan FBI agents by the Trump administration is nothing short of alarming. These are individuals [who] have dedicated their careers to protecting the American people, and their firings are part of a disturbing pattern of retaliation and politicization at an institution charged with safeguarding national security and the rule of law.”
What Happens Next
Whether further changes will take place at the FBI remains to be seen. According to Politico, formal paperwork related to the firings is expected to be issued on Friday.
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