Trump Administration Delays Naming FBI Agents in January 6 Probe; President Wants Some Fired
The Trump administration has agreed not to publicly release the names of FBI agents involved in investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, at least for now. According to Reuters, this decision came after two groups of FBI agents sued the Justice Department, fearing for their safety if their names were made public. A federal judge approved the agreement, which prevents the department from releasing the names until late March while the lawsuits are ongoing.
President Donald Trump later told reporters that he plans to fire some FBI agents connected to the January 6 investigation, calling some of them “corrupt.” This comes as the Justice Department, led by Emil Bove, a former Trump lawyer, has been pushing for an internal review of the FBI’s handling of the Capitol riot probe. The investigation has led to nearly 1,600 criminal cases against Trump supporters.
Reuters reports that the FBI initially resisted handing over the names of its employees but eventually provided a list using a classified system to protect their identities. The FBI’s acting head, Brian Driscoll, emphasized that the information was marked as “law enforcement sensitive” to ensure the safety of the agents involved.
The dispute over the list highlights tensions between the FBI and the Trump administration, which has sought to remove or sideline officials involved in investigations criticized by Trump. Earlier this week, the FBI had only provided employee identification numbers instead of names, further showing their efforts to protect their staff.
The Justice Department has stated it has no immediate plans to release the names publicly. However, Bove has suggested that agents who simply followed orders in the investigations would not face punishment.
This situation reflects the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and federal law enforcement, raising concerns about the independence of the FBI and the safety of its employees.
Credit: This summary is based on reporting by Reuters.