Former FBI agents accuse Patel of political retaliation in new suit

Two former FBI agents who helped investigate efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging their abrupt dismissals from the bureau, arguing that their dismissals were “solely” due to their involvement in the investigation.

The two agents, identified only as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, accused FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi of political retaliation against them for their work in the 2020 election case, known internally as “Arctic Frost,” although they played a brief and largely administrative role in the investigation.

The lawsuit argues that the firings are a violation of FBI policy, as well as the agents’ rights under the First and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution. The two former officers are seeking reinstatement to the office and a court declaration that their dismissals were illegal.

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FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, December 4, 2025. (Daniel Heuer/AFP via Getty Images)

“Political support for President Trump is not a legal or appropriate requirement for the effective performance of Plaintiffs’ respective roles within the FBI,” the lawsuit states. “Accordingly, the perceived lack of political support for President Trump provides an unacceptable basis for plaintiffs’ termination at the FBI.”

According to the lawsuit, both agents were fired last fall, within five days, and shortly afterward, unredacted internal documents related to the Arctic Frost investigation were shared with members of Congress.

FBI Director Kash Patel carried out the “summary” dismissal of the two agents in late October and early November, according to the lawsuit, “without evidence” and without “internal investigation, notice or hearing” to precede their dismissal.

Neither the FBI nor the Justice Department responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on their removals or the new trial. However, during his testimony in the House on Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel rejected criticism raised by Democrats regarding layoffs within the bureau.

“The FBI employs 36,000 people,” Patel told lawmakers.

“And I categorically reject the idea that eliminating those who militarize law enforcement are the only ones who can accomplish their mission,” he added.

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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks alongside President Donald Trump at the White House. (Getty Images)

The lawsuit argues that the firings go against FBI policy, which states that non-probationary special agents can only be terminated for cause, such as misconduct, national security concerns or an inability to carry out the essential duties or responsibilities of their role. Both were praised for their work in the office, he notes, and received “exemplary” performance reviews as well as other outside recognition.

“In Arctic Frost, as in all other investigations to which they were assigned, Plaintiffs fully adhered to DOJ policies and procedures, including applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and performed their law enforcement duties without bias or political motivation,” they said in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C.

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Federal investigators are seen at a crime scene. (Getty Images)

The agents’ lawyers also argued that the firings broke with Patel’s remarks last year during his Senate confirmation hearing, during which he promised that agents would not be fired based on assigned records, and stressed that personnel decisions “should be based on performance and compliance with the law.”

This lawsuit adds to a growing list of illegal termination lawsuits filed by former FBI agents in recent months, including former agents who claimed they were fired solely because of their perceived political views or their involvement in certain politically sensitive investigations.

Ancient Ministry of Justice Officials have raised concerns that the investigation or any retaliatory action taken as a result could have a chilling effect on the work of the FBI, including its more than 52 separate field offices.

The FBI Agents Association, or FBIAA, a volunteer agent group that represents more than 14,000 active and former special agents, sharply criticized the firing of the two special agents, saying in a statement released at the time that Patel “ignored the law and launched a campaign of erratic and arbitrary retaliation.”

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“An officer simply assigned to an investigation and conducting it appropriately within the law should never be grounds for termination,” the group said.

“FBI agents are addressing the facts and we urge Director Patel to do the same.”