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Three senior FBI officials—Brian Driscoll, Steven Jensen, and Spencer Evans—filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging their August terminations were politically motivated retaliation for prior work on cases involving President Donald Trump. Collectively, the plaintiffs bring over 60 years of service to the bureau.
The lawsuit claims the dismissals were carried out under pressure from the White House and Department of Justice, with the officials receiving only brief, single-page termination notices. According to the complaint, Acting FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly told Driscoll that the firings were necessary to preserve his own position, referencing the President’s lingering resentment over past investigations.
The plaintiffs argue that the terminations violated federal employment protections under 5 U.S. Code § 7543 and § 3151, which require cause and advance notice for dismissals of Senior Executive Service members. They also cite violations of their Fifth Amendment due process rights and First Amendment protections against retaliation based on perceived political affiliation.
Representative Jamie Raskin condemned the firings as part of a broader purge of officials unwilling to show loyalty to Trump over constitutional principles. The case marks a significant legal challenge to the administration’s handling of internal FBI personnel and raises broader concerns about political interference in federal law enforcement.
FBI-Picture-on-Wikimedia-by-Shinsuke-Ikegame
Excerpts from jurist.org article by Morgan Polen | U. Pittsburgh School of Law, US
