In a sweeping move that sources say amounts to a ‘purge,’ the Trump administration has fired three senior FBI officials—each tied to the Bureau’s investigation of the Capitol riot on January 6th—a sign that the Department of Justice is done tolerating insubordination, leaks, and cover-ups.
Brian Driscoll, who briefly served as acting FBI director at the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, along with Steven Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office, and veteran Special Agent Walter Giardina, were all informed they would be terminated, according to Politico.
Driscoll, a 20-year FBI veteran, confirmed his dismissal in an internal email to colleagues obtained by NBC News.
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“Last night I was informed that tomorrow will be my last day in the FBI,” he wrote. “I understand that you may have a lot of questions regarding why, for which I currently have no answers.”
Driscoll had previously clashed with top Justice Department officials after refusing to turn over a full list of FBI personnel who worked on the January 6 investigations. In a memo from that time, he warned: “This request encompasses thousands of employees across the country who have supported these investigative efforts. I am one of those employees.”
In his farewell message, Driscoll said, “It has been the honor of my life to serve alongside each of you… I regret nothing. You are my heroes and I remain in your debt.”
Steven Jensen, who was appointed just four months ago to head the Washington Field Office—a key command center for the Jan. 6 probe—also confirmed his firing in a letter dated August 8.
In his own farewell letter to FBI staff, Jensen confirmed his firing was effective August 8 and said, “I intend to meet this challenge like any other I have faced in this organization, with professionalism, integrity, and dignity.” He added, “Never waver in your resolve to answer the call to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. Continue to be bold and aggressive in the pursuit of justice. Most importantly, stay safe and take care of each other. Be the FBI.”
Jensen’s appointment had raised concerns among Trump allies, who viewed him as a central figure in the FBI’s yearslong January 6 witch hunt. His dismissal is being interpreted by some political observers as a sign that Trump’s team, led by FBI Director Kash Patel, has obtained what it needed from internal investigations.
Walter Giardina, the third official ousted, had been involved in the Mueller investigation into Trump-Russia ties and later participated in the controversial arrest of former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro. Navarro and his legal team criticized the arrest as excessive and politically motivated. Navarro labeled Giardina and the other agent involved as “kind Nazis.”
The FBI Agents Association condemned the dismissals in a statement: “Agents are not given the option to pick and choose their cases, and these Agents carried out their assignments with professionalism and integrity. Most importantly, they followed the law. If these Agents are fired without due process, it makes the American people less safe.”
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) claimed the firings were part of “a disturbing pattern of retaliation and politicization at an institution charged with safeguarding national security and the rule of law.”
Less than three weeks ago, U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb dismissed a legal attempt by anonymous FBI officials to block potential retaliation for their roles in the Capitol riot probe. Cobb described the situation as a “whirlwind of chaos and fear” but ruled that claims of imminent retaliation were “too speculative.”
All three officials had long tenures at the Bureau and held senior leadership roles. With more dismissals expected, the Trump administration is sending a strong message to those who might dare to undermine it: You will be fired.
