Washington D.C. – The termination of a dozen FBI employees following the disclosure of subpoenas targeting Kash Patel and Susie Wiles during the Biden administration has ignited a firestorm, raising serious questions about the politicization of the FBI and the potential abuse of power by holdovers from the previous administration. The subpoenas, issued as part of a federal investigation into then-former President Donald Trump, targeted Patel and Wiles while they were private citizens. Patel now serves as the director of the FBI, and Wiles is the White House chief of staff.

More than ten FBI employees were fired on Wednesday, with two additional terminations occurring on Friday. The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) has condemned the firings, arguing that they are unlawful and violate the due process rights of the agents. The FBIAA also expressed concern that the firings would weaken the bureau, undermining its ability to protect the nation.

The revelation of the subpoenas and subsequent firings has fueled concerns that the FBI was weaponized against political opponents during the Biden administration. Critics point to the timing of the subpoenas, which were issued as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents.

Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, pursued an aggressive investigation into Trump, leading to charges of multiple felony offenses. While the election interference case was ultimately dismissed after Trump's re-election, and Smith also dropped the Justice Department’s appeal of a separate ruling that dismissed the classified documents case, the investigation raised concerns about potential political motivations.

Conservative lawmakers have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the subpoenas and firings, demanding accountability for any wrongdoing. They argue that the FBI must be held to the highest standards of integrity and impartiality to maintain public trust. The alleged targeting of private citizens, including individuals closely associated with Trump, raises serious questions about potential abuses of power.

Patel, in a statement, described the move to seize the phone records as “outrageous and deeply alarming,” alleging that the previous FBI leadership acted under “flimsy pretexts” and concealed the process to evade oversight. He said the process was buried in prohibited case files designed to evade oversight.

The FBI has stated that the information was discovered in a newly discovered “prohibited case file.” The firings underscore the need for strong oversight and accountability within the FBI to prevent future abuses and ensure that the bureau remains focused on its core mission of protecting the nation from crime and terrorism. The agency needs to restore its credibility after the past years of politically motivated actions.