FBI Fires 10 Agents Who Worked on Trump Classified Documents Investigation
At least 10 FBI employees who worked on former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents were fired Wednesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The dismissals come amid renewed controversy surrounding the investigation into Trump’s retention of classified records after leaving the White House in 2021. All of the agents and analysts who were terminated had been involved in the classified documents case.
The firings followed a Reuters report stating that the FBI had subpoenaed phone records belonging to FBI Director Kash Patel and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles when both were private citizens. The subpoenas were reportedly issued as part of Smith’s probe into Trump.
Patel criticized the subpoenas, claiming the FBI secretly obtained his phone records using what he described as weak justifications and internal case procedures designed to avoid oversight. Reuters noted it could not independently verify Patel’s allegations.
CBS News confirmed that Wiles’ phone records were reviewed as part of the classified documents investigation but could not independently confirm whether Patel’s records were subpoenaed in that case. A source also said Patel’s records were not subpoenaed in the separate 2020 election investigation, known as “Arctic Frost.”
Special Counsel Jack Smith led two federal investigations into Trump — one examining alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and another focused on classified documents and potential obstruction of justice. The classified documents case was dismissed in 2024 after a federal judge ruled Smith’s appointment was unlawful. The election-related charges were dropped after Trump won the 2024 presidential race.
The FBI Agents Association condemned the firings, arguing they undermine due process and weaken the Bureau’s operational strength. In a statement, the organization warned that removing experienced personnel could damage morale and affect national security operations.
Since returning to office, the Trump administration has taken action against officials who worked on Smith’s investigations. The Justice Department previously dismissed prosecutors associated with the special counsel’s team, and additional FBI personnel involved in the election-related probe have also been removed.
The investigations into Trump marked the first time a former U.S. president faced federal criminal indictments. Attorneys for Smith have maintained that his actions were lawful and consistent with Justice Department policy, even as Trump has called for Smith and other former officials to face prosecution.
