FBI Fires 20 Agents Photographed Kneeling at 2020 Protest/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The FBI has fired roughly 20 agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protests after George Floyd’s death, according to AP sources. The FBI Agents Association condemned the dismissals as unlawful and urged Congress to investigate. Director Kash Patel faces criticism amid a broader personnel purge at the bureau.
FBI Firings Quick Looks
- About 20 FBI agents fired for kneeling at protests
- Agents were first reassigned in 2024, then dismissed in 2025
- FBI Agents Association calls firings illegal and unconstitutional
- Director Kash Patel accused of undermining employee rights
- Firings part of a broader FBI personnel purge
- More than a dozen military veterans reportedly affected
- Previous ousters included officials tied to Jan. 6 investigations
- Lawsuits claim firings are politically motivated
- Patel denies White House involvement in decisions
- Morale at FBI said to be declining sharply
Deep Look: FBI Fires Agents for Kneeling During 2020 Racial Justice Protests
WASHINGTON — September 27, 2025
The FBI has terminated a group of agents who were photographed kneeling during racial justice protests in Washington following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, according to three individuals familiar with the matter. The decision, reportedly affecting around 20 employees, has drawn sharp condemnation from the FBI Agents Association, which argues the move violates constitutional protections.
From Reassignment to Termination
The agents in question were initially reassigned in 2024, but according to sources, were officially fired earlier this year. While the exact number remains unclear, two individuals confirmed the figure was close to 20. The group reportedly includes military veterans, some of whom have additional statutory protections.
The photographs showed agents kneeling during one of the demonstrations in Washington, D.C., after Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody. At the time, some within the bureau viewed the gesture as a de-escalation tactic amid widespread unrest, while others considered it inappropriate for federal agents to display public solidarity at protests.
Agents Association Condemns Firings
In a statement Friday, the FBI Agents Association confirmed that more than a dozen agents had been fired and called the dismissals unlawful. The association accused FBI Director Kash Patel of ignoring due process and demanded that Congress launch an investigation.
“Rather than providing these agents with fair treatment and due process, Patel chose to again violate the law,” the association said, adding that the move demonstrates a disregard for employees’ legal rights.
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
A Broader Purge Inside the FBI
The firings form part of what observers describe as a sweeping personnel purge led by Patel since taking office. Over the past several months, the bureau has seen a string of high-level dismissals, contributing to what current and former officials call a collapse in internal morale.
In August, five senior agents and executives were summarily fired, including:
- Steve Jensen, who oversaw aspects of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot investigation
- Brian Driscoll, acting FBI director in early 2017, who resisted DOJ demands for names of agents on Jan. 6 cases
- Chris Meyer, falsely linked online to the Trump classified documents probe
- Walter Giardina, who participated in investigations involving Trump adviser Peter Navarro
The personnel shake-up has fueled allegations of politically motivated firings, particularly against agents involved in politically sensitive investigations.
Legal Challenges Mount
Several fired officials, including Jensen, Driscoll, and Spencer Evans, have filed lawsuits alleging unlawful dismissal. Court filings cite Patel’s alleged acknowledgment that such firings were “likely illegal” but claim he described himself as powerless to stop them, suggesting the White House and Justice Department demanded removals of agents tied to investigations involving Donald Trump.
Patel, however, denied those claims in congressional testimony last week, insisting that he received no orders from the White House and that firings were based solely on whether agents met the FBI’s professional standards.
Fallout and Next Steps
The controversy comes as the FBI faces scrutiny over its handling of political independence, employee morale, and disciplinary processes. The dismissal of kneeling agents has sparked renewed debate over whether law enforcement officers should be punished for expressive actions during national unrest or protected under free speech and de-escalation protocols.
With lawsuits pending and congressional oversight looming, the FBI now faces both legal and political challenges as it attempts to defend its firings and rebuild internal trust.
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