Washington - The FBI has terminated around 10 staff members who were involved in the investigation into former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents, a move that comes amid increased scrutiny of the agency's conduct and potential political bias. The terminations, confirmed by CBS News, a media partner of the BBC, took place on Wednesday.

The firings follow reports that Kash Patel, former FBI director, had his phone records subpoenaed by federal agents when he was a private citizen during the classified documents probe. Susie Wiles, now White House chief of staff, also had her phone records subpoenaed when she was a private citizen as part of the investigation. These revelations have fueled concerns about the scope and intrusiveness of the investigation, and whether it was politically motivated.

While Patel has not alleged any wrongdoing by the terminated FBI staffers, the timing of the terminations raises legitimate questions about the competence and impartiality of those involved in the Trump investigation. Critics have long accused the FBI of targeting Trump and his associates, and these firings will likely reinforce those concerns. The focus should always be on equal justice under the law, and any appearance of bias undermines the agency's credibility.

The investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents has been a source of intense political division. The FBI's actions must be transparent and accountable to ensure public trust and confidence in the integrity of the justice system. It is essential to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly and without political interference, and that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and responsibly.