Following the removal of prosecutors involved in the criminal investigation into President Trump, the Trump administration is reportedly set to assess FBI agents involved in the investigation of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, with the potential for their dismissal, according to sources briefed on the matter. This move is seen as a response to Trump’s ongoing criticism of the Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI, which he claims have worked against him.
Trump has accused FBI agents of misconduct during the court-ordered search of his residence and has criticized their treatment of individuals involved in the January 6 riot. Sources told CNN that interim leaders at the DOJ have compiled a list of agents who may face removal due to their actions against the president.
The January 6 attack saw rioters storm the U.S. Capitol following Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. In response, the DOJ and FBI launched a nationwide effort to locate and arrest the rioters, resulting in the largest criminal investigation in U.S. history. To date, prosecutors have charged over 1,580 individuals and secured around 1,270 convictions, according to CNN.
Earlier, the U.S. Justice Department fired several prosecutors who had worked on investigations related to Trump. Acting Attorney General James McHenry sent a letter to the officials, stating that they could no longer be “trusted” to “faithfully” carry out the president’s agenda. He emphasized that these officials played a key role in prosecuting Trump and that effective governance relies on the trust that senior officials place in their subordinates.
“You played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump. The proper functioning of government critically depends on the trust superior officials place in their subordinates,” McHenry wrote.
In a separate move, Trump granted pardons and commutations to approximately 1,500 individuals charged in relation to the Capitol attack.