Multiple FBI agents have been reassigned after being seen kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington, D.C., held in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020, according to two individuals familiar with the matter.
The internal reshuffling comes amid broader organizational changes under the FBI’s new Director, Kash Patel. Although the official reasons behind the reassignments remain unclear, the move has sparked renewed attention due to the political and cultural implications of the agents’ actions.
Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who has been addressing concerns raised by supporters of former President Donald Trump, recently commented on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating: “The Director and I are focused on key reforms to ensure accountability and transparency within the bureau. Our goal is to address unresolved concerns and prevent past errors from recurring.” However, he stopped short of detailing which specific actions or issues were being referenced. 
The kneeling agents were initially photographed during widespread protests that erupted across the U.S. in 2020 following the viral video of George Floyd’s fatal arrest. At the time, the agents’ gesture was interpreted by some as an effort to reduce tensions during emotionally charged demonstrations. Internally, the act sparked discussions, though no disciplinary measures were taken against the agents then.
CNN first reported on the reassignments, and the news was later corroborated by two sources who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the personnel changes. When contacted, the FBI declined to comment on the specifics of the report.
Director Patel, during his Senate confirmation earlier this year, promised to steer clear of retaliatory practices and avoid rehashing politically driven investigations from previous administrations. Nonetheless, concerns have emerged that the Justice Department could shift its stance, especially amid requests for the identities of thousands of agents involved in the investigation of the January 6 Capitol attack. These demands have prompted fears of potential political retribution and structural disruption within federal law enforcement.
