Kash Patel Fires FBI Agents Linked to Trump Probe—Constitutional Showdown Looms

FBI Agents Fired Over Trump Investigation Ties
Who Is Kash Patel—and Why Is He Taking This Step?
Senator Grassley’s Role in the Purge
Article II and the Controversial ‘Without Cause’ Firings
Fallout: Fear, Retaliation, and a Fractured Bureau
What This Means for U.S. Law Enforcement
Sources

FBI Agents Fired Over Trump Investigation Ties

In a move that has reignited debate over political interference in federal law enforcement, FBI Director Kash Patel has fired two veteran agents who were identified as having worked with former special counsel Jack Smith on investigations into Donald J. Trump.

Neither agent faced formal misconduct allegations or internal investigations. Both had strong performance records—one was a decorated Iraq War veteran just months from retirement. Yet this week, they were abruptly dismissed, with Patel citing sweeping executive authority under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.

Who Is Kash Patel—and Why Is He Taking This Step?

Kash Patel, a former Trump aide and Pentagon official, was appointed FBI director early in Trump’s second term. Known for his loyalty to the former president, Patel has made “depoliticizing” the bureau a centerpiece of his tenure—though critics argue his actions are doing the opposite.

This isn’t the first time Patel has removed agents tied to the Trump probes. In August, he fired Chris Meyer and Walter Giardina, also from the Washington field office’s special investigations unit. That move led to the resignation—and later lawsuit—of Steven J. Jensen, the office’s former head, who called the firings “retaliatory and unjust.”

Senator Grassley’s Role in the Purge

The latest dismissals follow documents obtained by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Those records identified the agents as associates of Jack Smith’s team.

Grassley has been a vocal critic of what he calls the “weaponization” of the Justice Department under Biden. Working closely with the Trump administration, he’s pushed for accountability—but many of the targeted agents were simply assigned to cases by supervisors, with no control over their investigative roles.

Article II and the Controversial ‘Without Cause’ Firings

Patel has repeatedly invoked Article II—the section of the Constitution that vests executive power in the president—as justification for firing federal employees “without cause.” Legal scholars are divided on whether this applies to career civil servants like FBI agents, who typically enjoy protections under the Civil Service Reform Act.

“This isn’t about performance—it’s about punishment,” said one former DOJ official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “And it sends a chilling message to anyone who might investigate a powerful person in the future.”

Fallout: Fear, Retaliation, and a Fractured Bureau

Fear is spreading within FBI ranks. The fired agents have reportedly received threats from Trump supporters, prompting requests that their names not be made public.

For the Iraq veteran, the dismissal could mean losing his government pension—a devastating blow after decades of service. “He served in Fallujah and came home to serve his country again,” said a colleague. “Now he’s being treated like a traitor for doing his job.”

What This Means for U.S. Law Enforcement

These firings are more than personnel decisions—they signal a broader shift in how the Trump administration views independent law enforcement. With Patel at the helm, the FBI risks becoming perceived not as a neutral investigative body, but as an extension of political power.

As one legal analyst put it: “If agents fear retribution for investigating the powerful, who will hold the powerful accountable?”