The FBI has dismissed a group of agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest following the death of George Floyd in 2020.
The agents took part in a demonstration in Washington, D.C., where they knelt alongside protesters in a gesture of solidarity. Floyd, a Black man, was killed when former police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes, sparking a global wave of outrage.
According to BBC, around 15 to 20 agents were fired on Friday, though the exact number remains unclear. The FBI Agents Association condemned the move, calling it a violation of their rights. The FBI itself has declined to comment.
The decision comes amid a new political climate, as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to purge what it calls “leftist” or “woke” policies from federal institutions. Back in 2020, many conservative commentators criticized law enforcement officials for kneeling, while supporters of the gesture argued it was a strategy to de-escalate tensions, not necessarily a political stance.
Kneeling became a powerful symbol of protest against racism and police brutality in the U.S., especially after the release of the video showing Chauvin pressing on Floyd’s neck. Chauvin is currently serving a 22.5-year prison sentence for his murder.
These dismissals are part of a broader wave of personnel changes at the FBI. Former senior officials including Brian Driscoll, Steven Jensen, and Spencer Evans have also left in recent months. Earlier this month, three ex-agents filed lawsuits against FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, claiming they were fired to politically appease Trump.
