Several senior FBI officials have been told to leave the agency or expect to be fired next week, according to multiple news reports Thursday, as President Donald Trump’s administration executes his long-touted plans to overhaul the federal government.
The order concerns at least six FBI leaders, according to CNN, which was first to report the news. The officials are said to include people who worked as executive assistant directors or special agents, and reportedly include those involved in cyber, national security and criminal probes.
The directive, which calls on officials to either resign or retire to avoid firing, appears to target those promoted by former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who last month announced his intent to step down shortly before Trump was sworn in to office. Even though Wray was nominated by Trump for the role in 2017, the president had shared his plans to replace him with his ally Kash Patel.
One of the senior officials who received the ultimatum sent an email out to his colleagues saying he “was given no rationale for this decision” and found out he would be removed from FBI rolls this coming Monday, according to The New York Times.
The FBI has not commented on the reports.
The news comes as Patel, Trump’s contentious pick for FBI director, has yet to be officially confirmed in the role. Brian Driscoll is currently serving as acting FBI director.
Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. It’s unclear whether he had advance notice of the ultimatums delivered to senior officials.
During the hearing, Patel told Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), “All FBI employees will be protected against political retribution.”
Patel, who is expected to be confirmed in the role, also told Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) he is “not aware” of any plans to terminate or otherwise punish agents or staff who worked on the Trump investigations over the now-president’s 2020 election interference and his alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Special counsel Jack Smith moved to dismiss both cases before resigning from his role ahead of Trump’s second term.
Since Trump’s inauguration, his administration has taken swift action against those perceived as his political enemies. Earlier this week, the Justice Department’s acting attorney general dismissed more than a dozen officials who worked on the two criminal cases against the president.
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The Trump administration has also fired at least 17 inspectors general across many federal agencies, violating a federal law requiring Congress be given 30 days’ notice of their dismissals. Federal employees working on diversity, equity and inclusion have also been placed on paid leave, while plans reportedly exist to eventually fire them.