FBI Dismisses Agents Over Protest Kneeling

The FBI has dismissed more than a dozen agents who were photographed kneeling during a 2020 protest in Washington, D.C., following the death of George Floyd. Multiple reports indicate that the disciplinary action affected nearly 20 agents in total.

The protest came in the days after Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis, an event captured on video that sparked worldwide outrage. The footage showed former police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck, an act that ultimately led to Chauvin’s conviction for murder.

During demonstrations in the nation’s capital, several FBI agents were seen kneeling alongside protesters. At the time, kneeling was widely recognized as a symbolic gesture against racial injustice and police brutality.

Initially, the agents were reassigned to other duties. However, in the years that followed, the bureau reportedly moved forward with dismissals, raising questions about fairness and consistency in discipline.

The FBI Agents Association confirmed the firings on Friday and voiced concern over the decision. The group is now calling for an independent review under the leadership of current FBI Director Kash Patel.

A prior internal review, conducted under former Director Christopher Wray, had concluded that kneeling did not violate FBI policy. That finding appeared to protect the agents, at least temporarily, from punitive measures.

The reversal of that decision has sparked renewed debate about political expression, employee conduct, and the bureau’s handling of sensitive cultural issues. Critics argue the kneeling was an expression of empathy, not partisanship, while supporters of the firings see it as an inappropriate act for law enforcement officers in uniform.

For now, the dismissed agents face uncertain futures, while the FBI prepares for further scrutiny. The episode underscores the ongoing tension between personal expression and professional obligations within federal law enforcement.