Twelve former FBI agents have filed a lawsuit against FBI Director Kash Patel and the Trump administration, alleging they were wrongfully terminated for kneeling during racial justice protests in Washington, D.C., in 2020. The protest movement was sparked by the killing of George Floyd, which ignited nationwide demonstrations demanding police accountability and racial justice.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in a U.S. District Court, claims that the agents’ terminations were part of a politicized campaign of retribution against federal employees perceived as critical of President Donald Trump. According to the complaint, the agents knelt during the protests as an act of de-escalation to reduce tensions with demonstrators, rather than as an expression of political support.

“Defendants targeted plaintiffs in particular because of plaintiffs’ use of de-escalation with civilians that defendants perceived as opposed to, or otherwise not affiliated with, President Trump,” the lawsuit reads.

Context: FBI Agents’ Actions During the 2020 Protests

During the height of the George Floyd protests in June 2020, the agents took a knee while engaging with demonstrators on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The agents argue that the action helped prevent violence and diffused a hostile crowd, potentially avoiding a “deadly confrontation” the lawsuit compares to the Boston Massacre of 1770.

Despite the agents’ intentions, their actions were later interpreted by the Trump administration as “unprofessional conduct” and “a lack of impartiality.” The lawsuit further claims the agents were accused of “weaponizing” the FBI for political purposes—a charge they dispute.

Nine of the twelve agents involved in the lawsuit are women. According to the complaint, prior internal reviews within the FBI had concluded that the kneeling was a tactical measure for de-escalation, not a political statement. Nevertheless, the lawsuit alleges that Director Kash Patel, acting under political pressure, insisted on firing the agents.

Broader Pattern of Alleged Retaliation

The filing notes a wider pattern of the Trump administration targeting federal employees perceived as politically misaligned. Recent high-profile cases include the firing of federal prosecutors involved in investigations of Trump, and federal workers who displayed symbols such as LGBTQ pride flags in their workplaces.

Before returning to the White House in 2024, Trump publicly criticized the FBI agents on social media, according to the lawsuit. The former agents assert that their terminations were motivated by political loyalty tests rather than professional conduct, highlighting concerns over the politicization of federal law enforcement.

Legal Implications

The lawsuit seeks to challenge the wrongful terminations and hold the administration accountable for what the plaintiffs describe as a campaign of retribution against federal employees performing their duties professionally and ethically. Legal experts suggest the case could bring renewed attention to the boundaries of political influence over federal law enforcement agencies.

The Agents’ Defense

The former agents maintain that kneeling was intended purely as a de-escalation tactic, aimed at calming a tense situation rather than showing political bias. The agents argue that their actions may have prevented potential injuries or fatalities during one of the most turbulent periods of nationwide protests in U.S. history.

Their case raises broader questions about political retaliation, law enforcement neutrality, and the rights of federal employees when carrying out public safety duties during politically charged events.