Fired FBI agents sue Kash Patel to get jobs back

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Nine former FBI agents and intelligence personnel sued the Trump administration Thursday, alleging they were unlawfully fired for working on the investigation into President Trump's handling of classified documents . Why it matters: The agents' bid to regain their jobs adds to a growing number of legal challenges accusing the Trump administration of retaliating against FBI personnel who investigated the president. Driving the news: "Plaintiffs were unlawfully terminated not for any cause or any legitimate reason, but only to satisfy the President's personal vendetta," the 70-page lawsuit says. "As a result of their unlawful and hasty firings, Plaintiffs' investigations were not properly transferred to other FBI Special Agents or Analysts. The impact of these heedless actions on America's national security is immeasurable." All nine plaintiffs are seeking their jobs back. FBI Director Kash Patel , Attorney General Todd Blanche and their agencies are named as defendants. The other side: Patel said in February termination letters that the employees had "exercised poor judgment and a lack of impartiality in carrying out duties, leading to the political weaponization of the government," according to the lawsuit. When reached for comment, the FBI referred Axios to a Friday post on X that said "[t]his FBI has helped deliver the most prolific reduction in violent crime in U.S. history. Who wants to join the mission?" Zoom in: The lawsuit disputes Patel's accusations, saying none of the plaintiffs had any history of "misconduct or poor behavior while employed with the FBI." None had been internally investigated for wrongdoing, nor were they given the opportunity to explain or appeal their terminations. The lawsuit alleges the firings bypassed FBI policy requiring an administrative inquiry before disciplinary action. The complaint also notes that "[i]n many instances, Plaintiffs' immediate supervisors expressed disbelief and regret that Plaintiffs' FBI careers had been ended." What they're saying: "With over a century of experience among them, these former FBI agents and analysts served our country with honor and distinction," Margaret Donovan of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, a firm representing some of the plaintiffs, told Axios in an emailed statement. "[T]hey investigated leaks of national security and defense information, thwarted threats and attacks from our enemies, and responded to critical incidents like the Boston Marathon bombing, the interdiction of Iranian weaponry intended for the Houthis, and the assassination attempt against then-candidate Donald Trump." "In return for their service, they were fired because they did their jobs, as they always did, to follow the facts and law without bias or favor." Context: Multiple plaintiffs said they were involved in investigating Iranian intelligence threats when they lost their jobs. One, Jeremy Linton, was managing "several dozen" Iranian counterintelligence cases and was fired three days before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, without an opportunity to transfer his work or convey intelligence he had received to colleagues. The suit alleges this process endangered American national security. Zoom out: Other fired FBI agents have also sued the administration, alleging they were punished for investigating alleged wrongdoing by the president. In February 2025, a group sued to prohibit the administration from obtaining a list of agents who investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Agents who investigated Trump's conduct during the 2020 election sued over their firings in March. Three former FBI officials filed a separate lawsuit in September 2025. Go deeper: Kash Patel's FBI loses another top official