The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to remove career law enforcement officials, demanding a list of FBI employees who worked on investigations related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and other Trump-related cases. This decision could impact thousands of agents and officials.

FBI Ordered to Hand Over Names

On Friday, acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll sent an email instructing the agency to provide the Justice Department with details on all current and former FBI employees who worked on these investigations. The DOJ will review these employees to determine if further action is needed.

"This request includes thousands of employees across the country who have supported these investigative efforts," Driscoll wrote. The acting director also noted that he and his deputy director would be on the list.

Trump's Effort to Reshape the DOJ and FBI

The move aligns with Trump's promise to take action against the Justice Department and FBI, which he claims have been unfairly targeting him. Trump has repeatedly criticized the FBI's search of his Mar-a-Lago home and the prosecution of Capitol rioters.

Both the FBI and Justice Department have declined to comment on the matter.

Termination Memo Raises Concerns

A memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, attached to Driscoll’s email, was titled “Termination.” It instructs the FBI to provide details on affected employees, including their role in the investigations.

“The FBI’s leadership actively participated in what President Trump accurately described as ‘a grave national injustice’ regarding the events of January 6, 2021,” Bove wrote.

The DOJ is also reviewing FBI personnel involved in a September case against members of Hamas linked to the October 7, 2023, attack.

Firing Notices Cause Shockwaves

The news has sent shockwaves through the FBI.

“This is a massacre meant to intimidate us,” said one agent. “Even those not fired will know the FBI is no longer independent.”

One employee noted that the January 6 case was the largest investigation in FBI history, involving over 1,000 defendants across the country.

“Everyone worked on this case in some way,” the employee said.

Prosecutors Fired Alongside Agents

On Friday, more than a dozen prosecutors working on January 6 cases were fired by the DOJ. These prosecutors had been hired temporarily but were set to become permanent before the Biden administration ended.

A DOJ memo circulated by Ed Martin, the acting U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., argued that these hirings unfairly restricted the Trump administration from staffing the office as it sees fit.

“I will not tolerate subversive personnel actions by the previous administration,” Bove wrote.

Trump DOJ's Rapid Overhaul

The Trump DOJ began reassigning senior career officials last week, focusing on immigration-related cases and so-called sanctuary cities. Many see this as a way to force out long-serving employees, leading some to resign.

Emails from acting Attorney General James McHenry to ousted staff members included language suggesting they could not be trusted to carry out Trump’s agenda.

Concerns Over FBI Independence

Some FBI agents argue that Trump and his allies misunderstand how investigations are assigned. Agents don’t choose their cases—they follow orders from supervisors, the DOJ, and court mandates.

The FBI Agents Association met with Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director, urging him to protect career agents from politically motivated firings. Patel assured them that employees would face fair reviews rather than blanket retribution.

The association warned against mass firings, saying it would weaken the FBI’s ability to combat national security threats.

Senate Questions FBI Nominee

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Patel was asked whether he was aware of any plans to punish FBI personnel for investigating Trump.

“I am not aware of that, senator,” Patel responded.

As Trump moves to reshape the FBI and DOJ, concerns continue to grow over the independence of federal law enforcement and its ability to operate without political interference.