Nine fired FBI employees sue Kash Patel, alleging they were dismissed for working on the Trump classified-documents investigation
Nine former FBI agents and analysts say Kash Patel fired them for working on the Trump classified-documents investigation. Patel's letters accused them of poor judgment and a lack of impartiality; he told senators no one was fired simply for that work.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The FBI searched Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate under a court-authorized warrant on August 8, 2022, and a grand jury later indicted him on charges of retaining classified documents and obstruction. Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in 2024, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith had been improperly appointed. Since Trump returned to office in 2025, the FBI has fired employees who worked on investigations of him, and other fired agents have filed separate lawsuits. The Associated Press reported the February 2026 firings on the day Patel was quoted saying the FBI had subpoenaed his phone records during the Biden administration. The plaintiffs are represented by Margaret Donovan, Abbe Lowell and Rebecca Tinio.
People in this case
Kash PatelDirectly involved
Todd BlancheDirectly involved
Adam SchiffCommented
Timeline
5 timeline entries on this page. Dates: August 8, 2022 to October 16, 2026
August 2022
FBI searches Mar-a-Lago under a court-authorized warrant
Incident
FBI agents search Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, under a court-authorized search warrant in the investigation of his retention of classified documents. A grand jury later indicts Trump in the case, which a federal judge dismisses in 2024.
[01]Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), complaint (Dkt. 1)
The 70-page complaint filed by nine former FBI special agents, staff operations specialists and intelligence analysts against FBI Director Kash Patel, the FBI, Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Justice Department, challenging their February 2026 firings.
Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-13 (pages 2-6) and 151-154 (pages 42-43)[02]Associated Press
Associated Press report on the lawsuit, republished by the Anchorage Daily News, including a statement from the plaintiffs' attorneys.
FBI agents, analysts fired for roles in Trump classified files probe sue to get their jobs back · Associated PressArticle, full text
February 2026
Patel fires FBI employees who worked on the classified-documents investigation
Incident
FBI Director Kash Patel dismisses employees who worked on the investigation in letters dated February 25 and 26 that cite Article II of the Constitution and say each exercised poor judgment and a lack of impartiality. The Associated Press, citing people familiar with the matter, reports that about 10 employees were fired, and the FBI Agents Association calls the firings unlawful.
[03]Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), Exhibit A to the complaint: termination letters signed by FBI Director Kash Patel (Dkt. 1-1)
Scanned copies of the February 25, 2026 letters from the FBI Director dismissing each plaintiff, filed with the complaint on October 15, 2026.
Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), Exhibit A to the complaint: termination letters signed by FBI Director Kash Patel (Dkt. 1-1)Exhibit A, page 2 (letter to Jennifer N. Bacon dated February 25, 2026)[04]Associated Press
Associated Press report, republished by WDTV, on the February 2026 firings of FBI employees who worked on the classified-documents investigation, with a statement from the FBI Agents Association.
FBI fires agents who worked on Trump classified document investigation, AP sources say · Associated PressArticle, full text
September 2026
Patel tells senators no one was fired simply for working on the Trump investigations
Reaction
At the Senate Judiciary Committee's FBI oversight hearing, Sen. Adam Schiff asks Patel whether agents who worked on the Mar-a-Lago and January 6 investigations were fired for that work. Patel says they were not fired for the simple fact of working on them, and that those who weaponized law enforcement were.
[05]PBS NewsHour
PBS NewsHour video of Sen. Adam Schiff questioning FBI Director Kash Patel about the agents who worked on the Mar-a-Lago and January 6 investigations, at the Senate Judiciary Committee's FBI oversight hearing on September 15, 2026.
WATCH: Patel testifies FBI did not fire agents for working on investigations into Trump · PBS NewsHourVideo, 0:00-6:45 (Patel at 1:14 and 5:00-5:14; Schiff at 6:24-6:45)
October 2026
Nine former FBI employees sue Patel, the FBI, Blanche and the Justice Department
Claim
Nine former special agents, staff operations specialists and intelligence analysts file suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. They seek reinstatement, back pay and a declaration that their firings violated the First and Fifth Amendments.
[01]Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), complaint (Dkt. 1)
The 70-page complaint filed by nine former FBI special agents, staff operations specialists and intelligence analysts against FBI Director Kash Patel, the FBI, Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Justice Department, challenging their February 2026 firings.
Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-13 (pages 2-6) and 151-154 (pages 42-43)[02]Associated Press
Associated Press report on the lawsuit, republished by the Anchorage Daily News, including a statement from the plaintiffs' attorneys.
FBI agents, analysts fired for roles in Trump classified files probe sue to get their jobs back · Associated PressArticle, full textLawsuit is assigned to Judge Amy Berman Jackson
The court assigns the case, Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604, to U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson and issues summonses to the defendants.
[06]Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), docket
The court docket for the lawsuit, listing the complaint, the plaintiffs' counsel and the case's assignment to Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), docketDocket entries 1-4 and the October 16, 2026 assignment entry
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Nine FBI special agents, staff operations specialists and intelligence analysts were fired in February 2026 because they worked on the investigation of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents, without cause, notice or a hearing, in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments.
What is disputed
Patel's termination letters told each employee they had exercised poor judgment and a lack of impartiality, leading to the political weaponization of the government, and cited Article II of the Constitution. Patel told the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2026 that agents were not fired for the simple fact of working on the Trump investigations. According to the complaint, each plaintiff's personnel form recorded the firing as not for cause.
Sources (2)
- Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-13 (pages 2-6) and 151-154 (pages 42-43)
- FBI agents, analysts fired for roles in Trump classified files probe sue to get their jobs back · Associated PressArticle, full text
Disputed claim
The fired employees exercised poor judgment and a lack of impartiality in carrying out their duties, leading to the political weaponization of the government.
What is disputed
The plaintiffs say no internal investigation or disciplinary process preceded the firings and that the FBI's Inspection Division did not investigate them. They say they were assigned to the case as members of counterintelligence and intelligence squads and did their work apolitically and under FBI policy.
Sources (2)
- Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), Exhibit A to the complaint: termination letters signed by FBI Director Kash Patel (Dkt. 1-1)Exhibit A, page 2 (letter to Jennifer N. Bacon dated February 25, 2026)
- Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), complaint (Dkt. 1)Complaint, paragraphs 1-13 (pages 2-6) and 151-154 (pages 42-43)
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 responses. Newest first.
Margaret DonovanAttorney for the plaintiffs, in a statement issued with co-counsel Abbe Lowell and Rebecca TinioDirectly involved Before this statement
The Associated Press report describes the lawsuit filed that day by nine former FBI agents, intelligence analysts and staff operations specialists, and the complaint's account of their more than a century of combined FBI service.
"In return for their service, they were fired because they did their jobs, as they always did to follow the facts and law without bias or favor. To this administration, this is an offense. To the rest of us, it is heroic"
CondemnedResponding to: Nine FBI special agents, staff operations specialists and intelligence analysts were fired in February 2026 because they worked on the investigation of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents, without cause, notice or a hearing, in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments.
Full statement and sources
In a statement from the plaintiffs' attorneys, Margaret Donovan, Abbe Lowell and Rebecca Tinio, the lawyers say the nine employees were fired because they did their jobs and followed the facts and law without bias, which they say the administration treats as an offense.
After the statement
The statement adds that the lawsuit will prove their unlawful dismissal and hold the administration accountable for a blatant attack on the rule of law.
FBI agents, analysts fired for roles in Trump classified files probe sue to get their jobs back · Associated PressArticle, full textWhy this label?
The reference point is the FBI's February 2026 firing of employees who worked on the investigation of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents. The attorneys say the employees were fired because they did their jobs and call the lawsuit a response to a blatant attack on the rule of law, which condemns the firings.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Kash PatelFBI Director, testifying at the Senate Judiciary Committee's FBI oversight hearingDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Schiff asks Patel how many FBI agents worked on the Mar-a-Lago documents investigation, and Patel says he does not know and that most of them retired or left. Schiff then asks whether any agents who worked on the Mar-a-Lago or January 6 investigations were fired in whole or in part because they worked on those investigations.
"for the simple fact of working on those investigations? No. If they weaponize law enforcement, yes."
Defended or excusedResponding to: The fired employees exercised poor judgment and a lack of impartiality in carrying out their duties, leading to the political weaponization of the government.
Full statement and sources
Asked by Sen. Adam Schiff whether any agents who worked on the Mar-a-Lago or January 6 investigations were fired in whole or in part for that work, Patel says no one was fired for the simple fact of working on them, but that those who weaponized law enforcement were.
After the statement
Asked whether the fired agents had engaged in some other malfeasance, Patel says the FBI's inspection division reviews all employees on a constant basis and makes recommendations. He later says all FBI personnel are held to the same standard.
WATCH: Patel testifies FBI did not fire agents for working on investigations into Trump · PBS NewsHourVideo, 0:00-6:45 (Patel at 1:14 and 5:00-5:14; Schiff at 6:24-6:45)Why this label?
The reference point is the FBI's February 2026 firing of employees who worked on the investigation of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents. Patel says no agent was fired for the simple fact of working on the Trump investigations and that those who weaponized law enforcement were, which defends the firings as a response to misconduct.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Adam SchiffU.S. senator from California, questioning Patel at the Senate Judiciary Committee's FBI oversight hearingBefore this statement
Patel twice says he has answered when Schiff asks whether none of the agents who worked on the two Trump investigations were fired in whole or in part for that work. Schiff says he does not think Patel has answered and notes that the FBI is being sued for wrongful termination.
"while this Congress is not going to investigate the wrongful termination of potentially hundreds of agents for working on properly predicated investigations. The next Congress will."
CondemnedResponding to: Nine FBI special agents, staff operations specialists and intelligence analysts were fired in February 2026 because they worked on the investigation of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents, without cause, notice or a hearing, in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments.
Full statement and sources
After Patel says he has answered whether any agents were fired for working on the Trump investigations, Schiff tells him the FBI is being sued for wrongful termination and says the next Congress will investigate the firings of potentially hundreds of agents for working on properly predicated investigations.
After the statement
The remark ends Schiff's questioning in the video.
WATCH: Patel testifies FBI did not fire agents for working on investigations into Trump · PBS NewsHourVideo, 0:00-6:45 (Patel at 1:14 and 5:00-5:14; Schiff at 6:24-6:45)Why this label?
The reference point is the FBI's February 2026 firing of employees who worked on the investigation of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents. Schiff calls the firings the wrongful termination of agents for working on properly predicated investigations, a direct criticism of the firings.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(6)
Original text
Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), complaint (Dkt. 1)
Relevant passage: Complaint, paragraphs 1-13 (pages 2-6) and 151-154 (pages 42-43)
About this source
The 70-page complaint filed by nine former FBI special agents, staff operations specialists and intelligence analysts against FBI Director Kash Patel, the FBI, Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Justice Department, challenging their February 2026 firings.
- Author
- Counsel for the plaintiffs: Margaret Donovan (Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder), Abbe David Lowell (Lowell & Associates) and Rebecca S. Tinio
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), docket
Relevant passage: Docket entries 1-4 and the October 16, 2026 assignment entry
About this source
The court docket for the lawsuit, listing the complaint, the plaintiffs' counsel and the case's assignment to Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
- Author
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
FBI fires agents who worked on Trump classified document investigation, AP sources say
Relevant passage: Article, full text
About this source
Associated Press report, republished by WDTV, on the February 2026 firings of FBI employees who worked on the classified-documents investigation, with a statement from the FBI Agents Association.
- Author
- Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
FBI agents, analysts fired for roles in Trump classified files probe sue to get their jobs back
Relevant passage: Article, full text
About this source
Associated Press report on the lawsuit, republished by the Anchorage Daily News, including a statement from the plaintiffs' attorneys.
- Author
- Eric Tucker, Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Original video
WATCH: Patel testifies FBI did not fire agents for working on investigations into Trump
About this source
PBS NewsHour video of Sen. Adam Schiff questioning FBI Director Kash Patel about the agents who worked on the Mar-a-Lago and January 6 investigations, at the Senate Judiciary Committee's FBI oversight hearing on September 15, 2026.
- Author
- PBS NewsHour
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
Bacon v. Patel, No. 1:26-cv-03604 (D.D.C.), Exhibit A to the complaint: termination letters signed by FBI Director Kash Patel (Dkt. 1-1)
Relevant passage: Exhibit A, page 2 (letter to Jennifer N. Bacon dated February 25, 2026)
About this source
Scanned copies of the February 25, 2026 letters from the FBI Director dismissing each plaintiff, filed with the complaint on October 15, 2026.
- Author
- Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Nine fired FBI employees sue Kash Patel, alleging they were dismissed for working on the Trump classified-documents investigation
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/fbi-mar-a-lago-agents-firing-lawsuit
The Dispute Index. "Nine fired FBI employees sue Kash Patel, alleging they were dismissed for working on the Trump classified-documents investigation". First published: 2026-10-21. Last updated: 2026-10-21. https://disputeindex.com/cases/fbi-mar-a-lago-agents-firing-lawsuit