Trump Administration Ousts Three Senior FBI Officials in Shake-Up Tied to January 6 Investigations

In a bold and sweeping move, the Trump administration has removed three high-ranking FBI officials—each reportedly connected to investigations surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot. The dismissals, which some insiders are calling a “purge,” signal a major shift within the Department of Justice under President Donald Trump’s second term.

The firings include Brian Driscoll, former acting FBI director; Steven Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Walter Giardina, a veteran special agent with a history of involvement in politically charged investigations. According to sources cited by The New York Times, the decision reflects the administration’s effort to reassert control over agencies it believes have been politically compromised in recent years.

A Sudden and Sweeping Move

Brian Driscoll, who briefly led the FBI at the outset of Trump’s second term, acknowledged his termination in a farewell message sent internally to Bureau staff.

“Last night I was informed that tomorrow will be my last day in the FBI,” Driscoll wrote. “I understand that you may have a lot of questions regarding why, for which I currently have no answers.”

Driscoll had previously pushed back against internal demands to release a comprehensive list of FBI employees involved in the January 6 investigations. In a memo shared months earlier, he warned that such a release would compromise the identities and safety of thousands of agents nationwide.

“This request encompasses thousands of employees across the country who have supported these investigative efforts. I am one of those employees,” he had written.

In his farewell note, Driscoll concluded:

“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.”

Leadership at the Washington Field Office Removed

Steven Jensen, who had only recently been appointed to oversee the FBI’s Washington Field Office—a critical hub for all matters related to the Capitol riot probe—was also relieved of duty. His firing was effective August 8, according to an official communication obtained by news outlets.

In his own farewell letter, Jensen encouraged agents to stay true to their mission despite the leadership shake-up.

“Never waver in your resolve to answer the call to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” he wrote. “Continue to be bold and aggressive in the pursuit of justice.”

Jensen’s appointment raised eyebrows among Trump allies when he was initially tapped for the high-profile post earlier this year. He was viewed by some within Trump’s inner circle as too closely aligned with previous FBI leadership that pursued investigations against the former president.

A Familiar Name in Past Political Investigations

The third official, Walter Giardina, had a long history within the Bureau, including involvement in the Mueller investigation into alleged Trump-Russia ties and the controversial 2022 arrest of former White House trade advisor Peter Navarro.

Navarro had called the FBI’s handling of his arrest excessive and politically motivated. He singled out Giardina, referring to him and his colleagues with harsh language during court appearances, alleging that they treated him like a violent criminal despite the nature of the charges.

Reactions Across the Political Spectrum

The FBI Agents Association responded strongly to the firings, issuing a statement defending the ousted officials:

“Agents are not given the option to pick and choose their cases. These individuals carried out their assignments with professionalism and integrity. Most importantly, they followed the law. If these agents are dismissed without due process, it sets a dangerous precedent and makes the American people less safe.”

On Capitol Hill, the move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats.

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) labeled the terminations “a disturbing pattern of retaliation and politicization,” saying the move jeopardizes national security and the impartiality of federal law enforcement.

Legal Challenges and Lingering Tensions

The firings come just weeks after a federal judge dismissed a preemptive lawsuit filed anonymously by several FBI employees, which sought to block what they described as “inevitable retaliation” for their roles in the January 6 investigations. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that while the agents’ concerns reflected a “whirlwind of chaos and fear,” their claims lacked sufficient immediacy or evidence to justify legal intervention.

With these latest firings, insiders suggest that more dismissals may follow as the Trump administration works to reorient the FBI’s leadership. Sources close to the administration claim that FBI Director Kash Patel, a longtime Trump ally, is focused on rooting out what they describe as “deep-rooted resistance” within the Bureau.

While supporters of the firings view the move as a necessary course correction, critics warn that it represents a dangerous politicization of law enforcement—one that could chill independent investigations and erode public trust in federal agencies.

As the reshuffling continues, it remains unclear how the Bureau will navigate its dual missions of impartial justice and executive accountability in a highly polarized political climate.