The FBI has decided to fire Brian Driscoll, the former acting director who led the bureau back when Trump first took office. This decision follows Driscoll’s resistance to provide a list of agents involved in the January 6 investigations.
After stepping down from his top position, Driscoll returned to a different role within the FBI. However, he has now been asked to resign by the end of the week, as confirmed by a source reaching out to The Hill.
During his time as acting director, Driscoll earned the reputation of being an advocate for the rank-and-file members of the bureau. His refusal to hand over the extensive list of FBI agents associated with the investigations into the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, led to significant backlash.
This insistence on preserving the anonymity of agents prompted a lawsuit from within the bureau, as employees were greatly concerned that revealing their identities could lead to consequence and targeting.
No comments have been made by the FBI regarding Driscoll’s dismissal.
In a heartfelt message to his colleagues shared on LinkedIn, Driscoll expressed confusion over his termination, stating that no specific reason had been provided.
“I was informed last night that I will be leaving the FBI after today. I know you likely have lots of questions, but I’m currently out of answers. Nobody has explained why,” he communicated.
However, he took the moment to thank his fellow agents, sharing, “Serving with you has been an extraordinary privilege. Our sacrifices for the greater good will always be worthwhile. I have no regrets. You’ll always be my heroes, and I owe you much.”
Driscoll’s firing seems part of a larger strategy of personnel changes.
Reports surfaced on the previous day indicating that Steve Jensen, the acting director overseeing the Washington Field Office, was also let go, along with Walter Giardina, an agent formerly involved in investigations concerning Trump.
After a significant case publicity, where Jensen was credited for locating a soldier accused of espionage, he was also scheduled for a Justice Department press conference that was unexpectedly canceled.
Appointed to lead the Washington Field Office by FBI Director Kash Patel just a few months earlier in April, Jensen had received praise both from his peers and the public for defending the organization’s neutral stance amid political turmoil.
Giardina’s work has previously been scrutinized by Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who has called for the FBI and Justice Department to release documents associated with his investigations.
The FBI Agents Association has voiced its disapproval of the dismissals, charging that agents were fired without due process despite their commitment to investigating federal crimes.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, condemned these actions, asserting they reflected a disturbing trend of retaliation driven by political motives. “The systematic firing of capable, nonbiased FBI agents by the administration is deeply unsettling. These are professionals who have worked tirelessly to protect American citizens. This trend is a dangerous step towards retaliation and politicizing an essential agency. The public must know that federal law enforcement can pursue justice free from political influence or intimidation,” he stated.
This shakeup is likely to shatter the morale of the FBI, especially given their recent pattern of removing career officials.
Back in February, the administration effectively removed the top five executive roles in the bureau, along with the heads of various field offices, including the former leader of the D.C. branch.
Driscoll notably resisted orders when requested to submit the agents’ list to Emil Bove, who was serving in a senior role at the Department of Justice.
He had previously been with the FBI for over two decades, taking on roles that included supervising the Newark Field Office and emergency response teams.
Internally known as Drizz, his determination to stand against the administration sparked numerous memes in his support, with imagery portraying him as a saint and capturing quintessential quotes like “What Would Drizz Do?”
Updated at 3:09 p.m. EDT
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