Several top FBI officials were reportedly told Thursday that they have three choices: Resign, retire, or be fired.
According to a report from NBC News, FBI executives promoted by former FBI Director Christopoher Wray, were given marching orders by the Trump administration. However, the news outlet notes that because they are career civil servants, they are unable to be fired without cause.
The report notes that at least two heads of field offices located in Miami and Las Vegas have been targeted.
Spencer Evans, a special agent in charge of the FBI’s Las Vegas field office, reportedly said in a memo obtained by NBC News that he was “shocked” and given no reason behind his dismissal.
“I was informed by FBIHQ today that the executive leadership at the Department of Justice plans to dismiss me from the rolls of the FBI, along with several other FBI executives, as soon as Monday Morning. I was given no rationale for this decision, which, as you might imagine, has come as a shock,” Evans said.
It was further reported that a current FBI official called the actions “hugely disruptive” and pointed out there is a lot of anger amongst those officials who aren’t considered “political figures.”
Last week, President Donald Trump fired approximately 18 inspector generals, which included watchdogs for the State Department, the Labor Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The president reportedly defended his move to terminate the employment of those fired, saying “some were unfair of were not doing the job.”
Career attorneys at the Justice Department involved in his prosecution, were also fired, and according to NBC News, the move has now raised alarms that Trump is going through with his “threats of retribution” against his anyone who has challenged him the past.
Trump’s pick to FBI head Kash Patel, said during his confirmation hearing before Senate that he would not be taking any “retributive actions” if confirmed.
