FBI Agents File Lawsuit to Block DOJ from Retaliation in Trump, Jan. 6 Cases/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A group of FBI agents has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Justice Department, seeking to block efforts to compile a list of officials who worked on Jan. 6 investigations or criminal cases involving Donald Trump. The agents fear termination, demotions, or retaliation, arguing that the list could be used for political targeting. The lawsuit, citing First Amendment and Privacy Act violations, was filed in federal court just before a DOJ deadline to submit the list.
FBI vs. DOJ: Quick Looks
- FBI Agents Take Legal Action: A class-action lawsuit was filed Tuesday to prevent DOJ leadership from compiling a list of FBI officials involved in Trump-related investigations.
- Fear of Political Retaliation: Agents claim the list could be used to fire, demote, or deny promotions to those viewed as disloyal to Trump.
- Privacy and First Amendment Claims: The lawsuit argues that DOJ’s actions violate privacy laws and constitutional protections for government employees.
- DOJ’s Survey Raises Concerns: FBI agents provided screenshots of a three-page survey, which they say is designed to track those involved in sensitive cases.
- Firings Already Underway: Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has already terminated multiple senior FBI officials and federal prosecutors.
- Demands to Halt the List: The agents seek a court order preventing DOJ from collecting and sharing their names.
FBI Agents File Lawsuit to Block DOJ from Retaliation in Trump, Jan. 6 Cases
FBI Agents Sue DOJ Over Alleged Political Targeting: A Deep Look
Filed in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit argues that the Trump-led DOJ is attempting to purge government officials it views as political enemies. The anonymous plaintiffs claim that the DOJ’s actions violate their constitutional rights and could put their careers—and personal safety—at risk.
The class-action lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Washington federal court, seeks to immediately block the Justice Department’s plans to compile a list of investigators involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot probe and the investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
The lawsuit highlights that during his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to act as “vengeance” or “retribution” for individuals he referred to as “political hostages”—those charged for their roles in the Jan. 6 attack.
According to the agents, the very act of compiling such a list is an act of retaliation, designed to intimidate FBI personnel and discourage them from exposing future misconduct by Trump or his associates.
As further evidence of a politically motivated purge, the lawsuit cites the recent firing of special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors, arguing that this move demonstrates the list’s true purpose—political retribution.
“Donald Trump has publicly stated his intent to retaliate against those he sees as disloyal—simply for carrying out their duties in investigating events linked to him and his supporters,” the complaint asserts. “Regardless of how the Trump administration perceives the plaintiffs’ political affiliations, it is clear that officials involved in the Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago cases are viewed as insufficiently aligned with Trump to retain their jobs.”
A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Concerns Over Political Retaliation
The lawsuit comes as DOJ leadership ordered the FBI to submit a list of employees involved in Trump-related investigations by 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
According to the lawsuit:
- Agents fear the list could lead to mass terminations or other adverse employment actions.
- The names could be leaked, exposing them to threats and harassment from Trump supporters and pardoned Jan. 6 rioters.
- The effort amounts to political retaliation, violating First Amendment rights and the federal Privacy Act.
“Plaintiffs reasonably fear that all or parts of this list might be published by allies of President Trump, thus placing themselves and their families in immediate danger of retribution by the now-pardoned and at-large Jan. 6 convicted felons,” the lawsuit states.
Mass Firings of FBI and DOJ Officials
Concerns over retaliation escalated Friday, when Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove fired:
- Eight top FBI officials in Washington, D.C., and Miami
- Seventeen federal prosecutors who handled Jan. 6 criminal cases
Bove’s order sent shockwaves through federal law enforcement, with many fearing a wider purge.
DOJ’s Justification: Internal Review or Political Purge?
The DOJ has not publicly explained why it is assembling the list of agents and officials. However, some within the department claim it’s part of an internal review to assess the handling of past cases.
Critics, however, argue that the effort echoes Trump’s past promises to “clean house” within federal law enforcement.
“This is about punishing people for doing their jobs,” said one former FBI official.
What’s Next?
The lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction to block DOJ from compiling and using the list. If successful, it could set up a legal battle over the limits of executive power in targeting federal employees based on political considerations.
With the Biden-appointed federal judiciary overseeing the case, it remains to be seen how the courts will respond to the allegations of political retaliation.
