In September 2025, the FBI dismissed around 20 agents who had been photographed kneeling during a 2020 racial justice protest in Washington, D.C., following the killing of George Floyd. The decision, confirmed by multiple sources, stirred sharp criticism and legal questions.
What Happened
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Years ago, in 2020, during the protests that erupted nationwide after George Floyd’s death, some FBI agents were seen kneeling in Washington in what supporters said was a gesture of solidarity or a de-escalation measure.
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In spring 2025, those agents were reassigned internally.
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On or about September 26, 2025, the FBI formally fired the agents. The number dismissed is not universally agreed upon, but two sources told the Associated Press it was about 20.
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The FBI Agents Association declared the firings “unlawful” and asserted that the agents’ constitutional and legal rights were violated. The association urged Congress to investigate.
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Some of those dismissed were veterans and therefore may have had additional legal protections.
Why It’s Controversial
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Critics argue that the firings reflect a politicization of the federal law enforcement apparatus — that agents were penalized for a symbolic act during highly charged protests.
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The FBI Agents Association and others contend due process was bypassed.
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Some see the move as part of a broader purge under FBI Director Kash Patel, consolidating power and reshaping agency norms.
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Supporters of the firings claim the kneeling was an inappropriate expression for federal law enforcement and undermined the appearance of neutrality.
What We Don’t Yet Know
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The full internal rationale behind the dismissals: public statements are limited, and the FBI declined to comment.
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How many agents will pursue legal action, and how courts may rule on those cases.
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The precedent this sets for federal employees and how agencies handle symbolic gestures or political speech in future.
