FBI Director Kash Patel has dismissed at least 10 bureau employees connected to the federal investigation into President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, according to multiple news outlets.
The personnel moves followed an internal review ordered by Patel into the FBI’s actions during former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s retention of classified materials after leaving office in 2021.
Patel initiated the review after learning that the FBI had obtained subpoenas for his own phone records, as well as those of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, during the time both were private citizens. In a statement, Patel described the subpoenas as “outrageous and deeply alarming,” arguing they were issued on “flimsy pretexts” and without sufficient oversight.
His comments were made public Wednesday, just hours before CNN, CBS, and Reuters reported that multiple agents connected to Smith’s probe had been removed from their posts.
The reported dismissals include personnel from several field offices. In recent weeks, senior leaders in the Atlanta and New Orleans field offices, the acting assistant director overseeing the New York field office, and six agents in Miami — all described as having ties to one of Smith’s investigations involving Trump — were also let go.
The moves come amid continued debate over the scope and conduct of the special counsel’s investigations into the president.
Smith, who previously testified before Congress, defended his decisions in bringing charges against Trump.
“I stand by my decisions as special counsel, including the decision to bring charges against President Trump,” Smith said in his opening statement. “Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity.”
A federal grand jury had indicted Trump on 40 felony counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents following a 2022 FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago residence. Authorities said classified materials were discovered in areas of the property accessible to others. Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing and characterized the investigation as politically motivated.
Smith ultimately dropped the classified documents case after Trump won election to a second term.
Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, blocked the Justice Department from releasing portions of Smith’s report related to the classified documents probe, siding with the president and his co-defendants.
Patel’s actions mark a significant leadership shift at the FBI as the bureau continues to face scrutiny from Republican lawmakers and voters who have raised concerns about its conduct in high-profile investigations involving Trump.
