WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through the American intelligence community, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has terminated at least 10 employees who played key roles in the investigations into President Donald Trump. The firings, which were confirmed on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, primarily targeted agents and analysts who worked under former Special Counsel Jack Smith on the classified documents case.
The Catalyst: Alleged Phone Record Subpoenas The terminations follow explosive reports that the FBI, during the previous administration, had secretly subpoenaed the phone records of current FBI Director Kash Patel and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles while they were still private citizens. Director Patel, who was appointed by President Trump in early 2025, described the subpoenas as "outrageous and deeply alarming," alleging they were obtained using "flimsy pretexts" to evade oversight.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the 10 fired individuals were identified as having "scrutinized" or facilitated the collection of these phone records. While the FBI has not publicly released specific evidence of misconduct for each individual, the administration has framed the dismissals as a necessary step to excise "politically motivated actors" from the Bureau.
A Broader Personnel Purge These latest firings are not isolated incidents. Since Kash Patel took the helm of the FBI following the resignation of Christopher Wray in January 2025, he has overseen a broader personnel overhaul. Over the last year, dozens of employees perceived as being "out of alignment" with the current administration's agenda have been pushed out. This includes agents involved in the "Arctic Frost" probe—the investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Reactions and Fallout The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), which represents over 14,000 current and former agents, has condemned the firings in a scathing statement. The association argued that these actions "violate due process rights" and "jeopardize the Bureau's ability to meet its mission." They warned that stripping away critical expertise could destabilize the workforce and leave the nation at greater risk.
On the other side of the aisle, Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern that the FBI is being "weaponized" to settle political scores. Hakeem Jeffries and other top Democrats have called for an investigation into whether the firings constitute unlawful retaliation against career civil servants.
As of Thursday, February 26, the atmosphere inside the J. Edgar Hoover Building is described as "tense," with many remaining staffers wondering if a second wave of terminations is imminent.
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