FBI Agents Face Scrutiny Over January 6 Investigations as Justice Department Weighs Disciplinary Actions

Thousands of FBI employees who participated in investigations related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot are being asked to complete detailed questionnaires about their involvement, as the Justice Department under the Trump administration considers potential disciplinary measures, including firings, The Associated Press reports.

The move comes after a Justice Department directive requesting the names, titles, and offices of all FBI personnel who worked on the January 6 investigations. The directive follows the departure of multiple senior FBI executives and the reassignment of key career Justice Department officials, as well as the firing of about two dozen employees from the US Attorney’s Office in Washington who worked on January 6 cases.

The questionnaires, described to the news agency by an individual familiar with the situation, ask employees to specify their role in the investigations, including whether they participated in search warrants, conducted interviews, or testified at trial. This level of scrutiny of career agents is unusual, as rank-and-file FBI agents typically do not choose their case assignments and are not historically disciplined for involvement in politically sensitive cases. There has been no evidence presented to suggest that any FBI agents or lawyers engaged in misconduct while investigating or prosecuting Jan. 6 cases.

A memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who previously defended Trump in criminal cases, indicates the Justice Department will use the survey results to “determine whether any additional personnel actions are necessary.”

More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes in connection to the Jan. 6 riot, with over 1,000 pleading guilty and another 250 convicted after trial.

Approximately 4,000 FBI agents, analysts, and other employees received the questionnaires on Sunday, with a deadline for completion on Monday, according to a source who insisted on anonymity.

The FBI Agents Association has issued a memo to its members, assuring agents that receiving the survey does not imply any misconduct and that the agency has a “long-standing and robust process that aims to provide due process in accordance with policies and law” if allegations arise.