Fired FBI agents sue over alleged retaliation tied to Trump probe

Three former FBI agents have filed a class-action lawsuit claiming they were wrongfully dismissed as part of a broader effort to purge federal law enforcement under President Donald Trump.

The case, filed on Tuesday, centres on allegations that the agents — Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman and Blaire Toleman — were removed from their roles because of their involvement in an investigation into Trump’s attempts to remain in power after the 2020 election.

All three were career, nonpartisan agents with between eight and 14 years of service. In their complaint, they argue that their dismissals reflect political retaliation rather than professional misconduct.

“Serving the American people as FBI agents was the highest honor of our lives,” the agents said in a statement.

“We took an oath to uphold the Constitution, followed the facts wherever they led and never compromised our integrity. Our removal from federal service — without due process and based on a false perception of political bias — is a profound injustice that raises serious concerns about political interference in federal law enforcement.”

According to the lawsuit, the agents were abruptly fired in October and November. Their termination letters, signed by FBI Director Kash Patel, accused them of “weaponizing” their roles — a claim the plaintiffs describe as unfounded and reputationally damaging.

The agents had been assigned to support an investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith, who in 2023 brought charges against Trump over alleged efforts to overturn the election results. Those cases were later dropped after Trump’s re-election in 2024, in line with Department of Justice policy not to prosecute a sitting president. Smith stepped down before Trump returned to office in January 2025.

The lawsuit frames the firings as part of a wider “retribution campaign”, pointing to cuts affecting other FBI and Department of Justice staff connected to Smith’s work.

“President Trump made clear that upon his return to office, he expected top officials in federal law enforcement to carry out his retribution,” Tuesday’s lawsuit asserts.

Beyond individual claims, the case argues that accusations of “weaponising” the FBI have broader consequences, undermining the credibility of nonpartisan law enforcement professionals.

“This false and defamatory public smear impugned the professional reputation of Plaintiffs and the proposed class members, suggesting they were something other than faithful and apolitical law enforcement officials,” the lawsuit argues.