FBI reassigns agents photographed kneeling with George Floyd protesters in 2020

Several FBI agents who were photographed kneeling during a 2020 protest following the death of George Floyd have been reassigned to different roles, in what many inside the bureau view as a demotion, according to a report by CNN.

The agents were part of a unit tasked with protecting federal buildings and monuments when they encountered demonstrators. In response to the crowd of protesters, some agents knelt in a symbol of solidarity, a move they said mirrored actions taken by National Guard troops during similar confrontations. 

However, when photos emerged of the agents’ actions, the gesture sparked internal backlash.

While the FBI has not publicly explained the reassignments, the roles the agents were moved to are considered less desirable. The changes come amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to remove “woke” staff from federal agencies, particularly within intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

The Department of Justice is also conducting a review of over 1,500 agents linked to politically sensitive investigations, including some who were involved in the 2022 FBI raid on President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence as well as January 6-related cases. 

FBI Director Kash Patel has been adamant about reviewing conduct within the bureau and identifying politically motivated employees. Upon taking his position, Patel expressed a desire to implement significant changes to the FBI, including having a smaller presence in Washington and decreasing the size of its staff. The FBI has also seen a record number of new agent applications since Patel took the helm of the bureau, with over 10,000 applications received since January.