Two former FBI special agents have filed a federal lawsuit against FBI Director Kash Patel, alleging they were terminated for their work on investigations involving President Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election.
Filed anonymously in Washington, D.C., the suit claims Patel fired the agents last fall following pressure from Trump and his supporters. The agents argue the terminations violated their constitutional rights to free speech and due process, and are seeking reinstatement.
The lawsuit states Patel described agents involved in the election probe as “corrupt actors” who “weaponized law enforcement,” and that the pair were dismissed without a hearing or formal investigation.
The agents were assigned to the FBI’s Washington Field Office and said they had strong performance records prior to their involvement in the Arctic Frost probe, which was part of a broader investigation that led to Trump’s 2023 indictment.
According to the lawsuit, both agents were terminated between late October and early November 2025 and were not told the firings were related to misconduct or performance. The suit also claims their termination letters have hindered future employment, with both facing repeated rejections due in part to concerns over potential political fallout.
