DOJ Won’t Release FBI Agents’ Names in Jan. 6 Investigations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Justice Department has agreed not to release the names of FBI agents involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot investigations while President Donald Trump’s administration reviews those cases. The agreement comes after FBI agents filed lawsuits, fearing mass firings and personal threats. While the DOJ insists the list is for internal review only, attorneys for the agents argue that public disclosure could lead to harassment and retaliation.
DOJ & FBI Name Disclosure: Key Takeaways
- DOJ Won’t Release Names Publicly: The Justice Department agreed not to make FBI agents’ names public before a court ruling.
- FBI Agents Fear Retaliation: Lawsuits filed Tuesday claim mass firings could follow if names are disclosed.
- Legal Battle Over Transparency: A court hearing was canceled after DOJ agreed to withhold the list for now.
- Internal Review in Progress: The FBI turned over thousands of employee records, first with employee numbers, later with full names.
- Potential Disciplinary Actions: Agents who “acted with corrupt or partisan intent” could face consequences, according to DOJ officials.
DOJ Won’t Release FBI Agents’ Names in Jan. 6 Investigations
Deep Look: DOJ Blocks Release of FBI Agents’ Names in Jan. 6 Review
The Justice Department has confirmed it will not publicly release the names of FBI agents involved in Jan. 6 criminal investigations, at least until a judge rules on ongoing lawsuits.
The decision follows lawsuits filed by FBI employees who argue that public exposure could lead to online harassment, threats, and professional retaliation.
“The risk to these agents is horrendous,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Norman Eisen.
Why Are FBI Agents Concerned?
- Many FBI agents fear that the list could be used for mass firings as Trump’s DOJ reviews past investigations.
- Some believe releasing their identities could lead to harassment, similar to what has happened to other federal employees.
- Attorneys argued that public exposure could cause irreparable harm to agents simply doing their jobs.
Background:
The FBI provided DOJ officials with detailed personnel records on thousands of employees who worked on Jan. 6 criminal cases. Initially, agents were identified by employee number—but the DOJ later requested a full list with names.
Legal Battle: FBI Agents Push Back
What’s Happening in Court?
- Tuesday: FBI agents filed lawsuits to prevent DOJ from releasing names.
- Thursday: A judge began hearing arguments, but no agreement was reached.
- Friday: The DOJ agreed not to release the list while the lawsuits proceed.
DOJ’s Stance:
- The Justice Department argues the list is for internal review only.
- Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove assured that agents who followed ethical procedures won’t be fired.
- However, he provided no guarantees for agents suspected of acting “with corrupt or partisan intent.”
FBI Agents’ Concerns:
- Attorneys argue the DOJ’s promise isn’t enough.
- Similar disclosures in the past have led to doxxing and harassment.
- The fear of retaliation remains high among FBI employees.
What Happens Next?
The judge must decide whether DOJ can proceed with its review without disclosing agent names.
If the lawsuit succeeds, FBI agents’ identities will remain private.
If the lawsuit fails, DOJ could face pressure to release names—sparking potential firings and public scrutiny.
For now, DOJ has agreed to keep the list confidential, but the legal battle is far from over.
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