Post by : Rameen Ariff

A group of FBI agents has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming wrongful termination after they took a knee during a 2020 racial justice demonstration in Washington following the killing of George Floyd. The agents, who remain identified under pseudonyms in court filings to protect their safety, argue that their actions were peaceful gestures of solidarity and aimed at de-escalating tension during a volatile protest.

The FBI had previously investigated the incident and found no wrongdoing by the agents. According to the complaint, FBI Director Kash Patel later terminated the agents’ employment at the urging of President Donald Trump, several years after the event occurred. The lawsuit, filed in federal court on Monday, alleges that the firings were politically motivated and represent a “weaponization of government” against patriotic officers who served with distinction.

Mary Dohrmann, senior counsel at the Washington Litigation Group representing the agents, said, “Our clients acted professionally to calm a potentially dangerous situation. They have earned multiple commendations for their service, and these partisan firings put the nation’s safety at risk.”

The complaint further claims that the terminations violated the agents’ constitutional rights, including protections against due process violations and retaliation for perceived political beliefs. The agents are seeking reinstatement, back pay, and the preservation of their pensions as part of the legal action.

In termination letters, Patel accused the agents of “unprofessional conduct and a lack of impartiality in carrying out duties,” despite the FBI’s earlier conclusion that the agents acted appropriately during the protest. The Department of Justice and the FBI have not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

This case highlights ongoing debates over political influence in federal law enforcement and raises questions about the limits of employee expression during national protests.

#Asia News