{"id":2518893,"date":"2025-12-08T17:13:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T22:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-fbi-agents-sue-patel-over-firings-after-kneeling-at-2020-protest\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T17:14:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T22:14:43","slug":"ex-fbi-agents-sue-patel-over-firings-after-kneeling-at-2020-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-fbi-agents-sue-patel-over-firings-after-kneeling-at-2020-protest\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-FBI agents sue Patel over firings after kneeling at 2020 protest"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fex-fbi-agents-sue-patel-over-firings-after-kneeling-at-2020-protest%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2518893&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Twelve former FBI special agents have filed a lawsuit against FBI Director Kash Patel after being terminated for kneeling during a George Floyd protest in 2020. The agents argued they knelt as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-sheriff-blames-parents-for-lawless-young-people-blasts-armchair-police-for-second-guessing-officer-responses\/\" title=\"Texas Sheriff Blames Parents For Lawless Young People, Blasts \u2018Armchair Police\u2019 For Second-Guessing Officer Responses\">de-escalation tactic<\/a> during a volatile situation when a crowd surrounded them, and that their actions were professional and intended to prevent violence. Despite an earlier review by the Biden administration clearing the incident, Patel initiated an internal investigation upon becoming director and afterward fired the agents, accusing them of unprofessional conduct and political bias. The plaintiffs claim their terminations are politically motivated and violate their First Amendment rights, seeking a jury trial. Their attorney described the firings as a misuse of government power that compromises national safety.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Twelve ex-FBI agents sue Patel over terminations after they kneeled during 2020 George Floyd protest<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2427160\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A dozen former <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">FBI<\/a> special agents have filed a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lawsuits\/\">lawsuit<\/a> against FBI Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kash-patel\/\">Kash Patel<\/a> over the bureau&rsquo;s decision to terminate their employment after the agents knelt during a George Floyd protest in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>The complaint, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">District of Columbia<\/a>, concerns an incident in which the former special agents said they took a knee as a &ldquo;de-escalation response&rdquo; to a mob surrounding them during a June 4, 2020, protest in response to the death of Floyd. The plaintiffs said they were fired after Patel triggered an internal review of the incident, which the Biden administration had already reviewed and dismissed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3910469\/former-trump-lawyer-alina-habba-resigns-acting-us-attorney-new-jersey\/\">Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba resigns as acting US attorney for New Jersey<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3909769\/judge-blocks-doj-using-former-comey-lawyer-data\/\">Judge blocks DOJ from using former Comey lawyer&#8217;s computer data and emails<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3909210\/jan-6-bomb-suspects-arrest-exposes-holes-in-fbis-story-about-cell-phone-data\/\">Jan. 6 bomb suspect&#8217;s arrest exposes holes in FBI&rsquo;s story about cellphone data<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;On June 4, 2020, our clients acted with calm and professionalism to de-escalate a potentially violent encounter with fellow Americans,&rdquo; attorney for the plaintiffs Mary Dohrmann, of Washington Litigation Group, said in a statement. &ldquo;Five years later, Kash Patel and the Trump Administration are targeting these patriotic and highly skilled FBI agents for purely partisan reasons.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In the complaint, the plaintiffs state they were deployed to the National Archives area in Washington as part of an effort to &ldquo;show a visible law enforcement presence&rdquo; during the protests, though they added that they were not properly equipped or prepared for <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >crowd control efforts<\/a>. The complaint detailed a mob aggressively descending upon the plaintiffs in an &ldquo;extremely volatile and rapidly deteriorating&rdquo; way, yelling for the agents to &ldquo;take a knee.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Special Agents closest to the mob were the first to kneel,&rdquo; the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.dcd.287445\/gov.uscourts.dcd.287445.1.0.pdf\">complaint<\/a> reads. &ldquo;Their intent was to prevent a dangerous situation in which confrontational or unwitting civilians might make physical contact with agents or even attempt to gain control of FBI service weapons, necessitating the use of lethal force.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The plaintiffs said Patel &ldquo;immediately&rdquo; began working to terminate the agents who kneeled during the protest when he became director, and that an Inspection Division investigation into the incident began on June 27. The plaintiffs said they each received letters from Patel notifying them of their termination on Sept. 26.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In the course of making this decision, I considered relevant material pertaining to your case, including the investigation conducted by the FBI&rsquo;s Inspection Division,&rdquo; Patel wrote in the letter, according to the complaint. &ldquo;You have demonstrated unprofessional conduct and a lack of impartiality in carrying out duties, leading to the political weaponization of government.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The FBI declined to comment to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, citing that it is pending litigation.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/279253\/gaetz-questions-fbi-over-possible-promotion-of-agents-who-knelt-before-protesters-in-2020\/\">GAETZ QUESTIONS FBI OVER POSSIBLE PROMOTION OF AGENTS WHO KNELT BEFORE PROTESTORS IN 2020<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dohrmann called the firings a &ldquo;true weaponization of government&rdquo; and said the&nbsp;&ldquo;nation is less safe as a result.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The plaintiffs demanded a jury trial and filed eight counts, including a violation of the First Amendment for &ldquo;retaliation for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shock-video-large-man-allegedly-traps-womans-tesla-then-begins-punching-her-with-closed-fist\/\" title=\"Shock Video: Large Man Allegedly Traps Woman&#039;s Tesla, Then Begins Punching Her with Closed Fist\">perceived political affiliation<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Twelve ex-FBI agents sue Patel over 2020 protest firing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2518894,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25323626205208.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50645,4585,51054],"class_list":["post-2518893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-fbi-2","tag-lawsuit","tag-patel-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25323626205208.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2518893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2518893"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2518893\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2518897,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2518893\/revisions\/2518897"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2518894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2518893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2518893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2518893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}