Nine former FBI employees filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the FBI and the Department of Justice, alleging they were unlawfully terminated for their roles in the investigation into former President Donald Trump’s retention of classified documents after leaving office. The plaintiffs, including former special agents, intelligence analysts, and staff operation specialists, were fired over two days in February 2026. The lawsuit names FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the FBI, and the DOJ as defendants.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claims the firings were not based on any legitimate cause, internal investigation, or disciplinary process. Instead, the plaintiffs allege they were removed solely to satisfy a personal vendetta by the president. The lawsuit cites reliance on Article II of the Constitution—which outlines executive powers—as the justification for the terminations, though no notice, hearing, or appeal was provided to the employees.
The firings occurred amid heightened geopolitical tensions, as the U.S. and Israel prepared to initiate military strikes against Iran. The plaintiffs represent a growing number of former FBI personnel who have filed similar lawsuits after abrupt terminations, many of whom worked on matters that displeased Trump or his allies.
Background on the Investigation
In August 2022, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago and recovered more than 100 documents with classified markings. In 2023, the office of special counsel Jack Smith indicted Trump on over three dozen charges related to the alleged retention of these records and efforts to obstruct the government’s retrieval of them. The investigation and subsequent firings have drawn significant attention, with critics arguing the terminations were politically motivated and supporters contending they were necessary for accountability.
Legal and Procedural Claims
The 70-page lawsuit asserts that the firings violated federal employment laws and the plaintiffs’ due process rights. It further alleges that FBI Director Kash Patel acted outside his authority by invoking Article II as the sole basis for the terminations. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and reinstatement for the plaintiffs, who include former agents with decades of service.
The FBI and DOJ have not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the FBI declined to comment, while the DOJ has not issued a statement regarding the allegations.