12 fired FBI agents sue Patel, Bondi, FBI and DOJ in D.C. federal court
Twelve former FBI agents filed a 47‑page lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, proceeding anonymously as Jane and John Does and represented by Mary Dohrmann and the Washington Litigation Group, alleging they were unlawfully fired by Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, the FBI and the DOJ after kneeling to de‑escalate a June 4, 2020 racial‑justice protest. The complaint says their termination letters cited “unprofessional conduct and a lack of impartiality,” argues partisan animus (pointing to Patel’s book Government Gangsters), notes that plaintiffs include senior counterintelligence officials and that about 16 removed staff worked in counterintelligence and counterterrorism — a loss they say makes the country “less safe” — and says the FBI declined comment while the DOJ did not immediately respond.
📌 Key Facts
- Twelve fired FBI agents filed a 47-page lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia naming Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, the FBI and the Department of Justice as defendants.
- The plaintiffs are proceeding anonymously as Jane and John Does and are represented by attorney Mary Dohrmann of the Washington Litigation Group.
- One plaintiff, identified as 'Jane Doe 5,' is described as a Deputy Assistant Director overseeing counterintelligence who was allegedly removed at Patel’s direction for kneeling on June 4, 2020.
- The complaint recounts that on June 4, 2020 agents—without riot gear and wearing FBI-marked vests—knelt to de-escalate a mixed crowd and say the tactic prevented violence.
- Plaintiffs’ counsel said about 16 of the removed agents worked in counterintelligence and counterterrorism and warned the mass firings have made the country 'less safe.'
- Kash Patel’s termination letters said the agents showed 'unprofessional conduct and a lack of impartiality,' and the plaintiffs allege partisan animus motivated the firings, citing Patel’s book 'Government Gangsters.'
- Attorney Mary Dohrmann said internal FBI processes are being subverted; the FBI declined comment on the litigation and the DOJ did not immediately respond.
📊 Relevant Data
Studies that benchmark fatal police shootings against crime rates or arrests generally find little or no evidence of anti-Black bias, while studies benchmarking against population proportions do find evidence of bias.
Methodological Challenges for Research on Racial Bias in Police Shootings — RAND Corporation
In 2023, Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents made up approximately 41.4% of Washington, D.C.'s population, while White (Non-Hispanic) residents made up about 35.7%.
Washington, DC - Data USA — Data USA
Nearly nine out of ten Democrats support major changes in policing, while only 14% of Republicans do.
Public Perceptions of the Police — Council on Criminal Justice
Social vulnerability, race, and place are three important predictors of fatal police shootings.
Analyzing Fatal Police Shootings: The Roles of Social Vulnerability, Race, and Place — American Journal of Preventive Medicine
📰 Sources (3)
- The suit was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and spans 47 pages.
- Plaintiffs are proceeding anonymously as Jane and John Does; one (Jane Doe 5) was a Deputy Assistant Director overseeing counterintelligence who was allegedly removed at Patel’s direction because she kneeled on June 4, 2020.
- Detailed account of the June 4, 2020 incident: agents lacked riot gear, wore FBI-marked vests, knelt to de-escalate a mixed crowd, and say the tactic prevented violence.
- Plaintiffs cite Kash Patel’s book "Government Gangsters" to argue partisan animus motivated their terminations.
- Attorney Mary Dohrmann is quoted saying: “Internal FBI processes are being subverted in a way that makes us all less safe,” and the FBI declined comment on pending litigation.
- Plaintiffs are represented by attorney Mary Dohrmann and the Washington Litigation Group.
- Kash Patel’s termination letters to agents stated they showed 'unprofessional conduct and a lack of impartiality.'
- Plaintiffs’ counsel said about 16 of the removed agents worked in counterintelligence and counterterrorism, warning the 'country is less safe' after the mass firings.
- Context noted that Patel and AG Pam Bondi have vowed to end what they call 'weaponization' and have removed both senior and lower‑level DOJ/FBI personnel.
- FBI declined comment; DOJ did not immediately respond.