By Allan Lengel
The FBI Agents Association issued a statement last Friday strongly condemning “today’s unlawful termination of more than a dozen FBI Special Agents, which, like other recent firings by Director Patel, violate the due process rights of those who risk their lives to protect our country.”
The firings appear to be part of a pattern at both the FBI and Justice Department in which agents and prosecutors have been fired without what they see valid cause.
“Even more troubling,” the statement said, “some of those terminated today were military veterans with additional statutory protections under the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Denying these rights is an egregious act, especially against those who have fought to defend the very freedoms now being disregarded.”
“As Director Patel has repeatedly stated, nobody is above the law. But rather than providing these agents with fair treatment and due process, Patel chose to again violate the law by ignoring these agents’ constitutional and legal rights instead of following the requisite process.”
“Leaders uphold the law – they don’t repeatedly break it. They respect due process, rather than hide from it. Patel’s dangerous new pattern of actions are weakening the Bureau because they eliminate valuable expertise and damage trust between leadership and the workforce, and make it harder to recruit and retain skilled agents—ultimately putting our nation at greater risk.”
“The FBIAA urges Congress to investigate these violations and pass legislation granting all FBI Special Agents MSPB appeal rights, basic protections already afforded to other federal law enforcement officers. Agents have earned the basic rights of dignity and due process through years of service and sacrifice, and they deserve nothing less.”
The FBI declined comment on Tuesday night.
