Kash Patel's FBI fires 10 agents who investigated Trump in 2021: report
The FBI fired at least 10 agents who investigated President Donald Trump in 2021 for his handling of classified information, according to a report.
CBS News reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources, that the firing occurred after Reuters reported that the FBI had subpoenaed phone records from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel when they were private citizens as part of the probe. Patel claimed in the report that the agents had used "flimsy pretexts" to justify the subpoenas, and then buried the process "to avoid oversight."
"All of the FBI employees fired on Wednesday were involved with the classified documents case," according to the report.
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith began investigating Trump for his handling of classified information during his first term in 2021. The investigation revealed boxes of classified information stored in the bathroom and ballroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
Patel's move to fire the agents was bashed by the FBI Agents Association, which represents current and former agents.
"These actions weaken the Bureau by stripping away critical expertise and destabilizing the workforce, undermining trust in leadership and jeopardizing the Bureau's ability to meet its recruitment goals—ultimately putting the nation at greater risk," the group told CBS News.