Senior FBI official forcefully resisted Trump administration firings
Brian Driscoll refused to assist in the firing of agents involved in January 6th riot cases, pushing back so forcefully that some feared he would be dismissed.
Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll on Friday refused a Justice Department order that he assist in the firing of agents involved in Jan. 6 riot cases, pushing back so forcefully that some FBI officials feared he would be dismissed, multiple current and former FBI officials told NBC News.
The Justice Department ultimately did not dismiss Driscoll, the head of the bureau’s Newark field office who is temporarily serving as its acting director.
Kash Patel, President Trump's pick for FBI director and a critic of the bureau's investigations of Trump and Jan. 6th rioters, will take over if he is confirmed by the Senate. During his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Patel testified under oath that no FBI officials would be retaliated against.
“All FBI employees will be protected against political retribution,” Patel told Senators.
Just over twenty-four hours later, Driscoll sent a memo to the FBI workforce explaining that Emil Bove, the acting Deputy Attorney General and Trump's former defense lawyer, had ordered him to remove eight senior FBI executives. Driscoll also said he had been told to turn over the names of every FBI employee involved in investigating Jan. 6 rioters.
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