Fired FBI agents sue Patel, Bondi for ‘retribution campaign’

Three fired FBI agents sued the agency on Tuesday, alleging the bureau and Justice Department engaged in an illegal “retribution campaign” against them for their participation in an investigation into President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The suit, which seeks class action certification and was filed in federal court in Washington, names FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with the FBI and Justice Department, as defendants. The agents argue their First and Fifth Amendment rights were violated based on actual or perceived political affiliation and a lack of due process.

The suit seeks for all similarly situated agents to be reinstated.

Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman and Blaire Toleman were fired without notice last October and November despite years of “exemplary and unblemished” service, according to court filings. The three had been involved in an investigation that culminated in a 2023 indictment of Trump from special counsel Jack Smith.

That indictment alleged Trump had schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 election and also mishandled classified documents. The case was ultimately abandoned after Trump was reelected in 2024.

In their termination letters, signed by Patel, the former agents allege they were “baselessly accused” of “weaponizing” their positions within the government. The lawsuit accuses Patel and Bondi of attempting to publicly disparage and defame the agents.

The suit cites multiple comments made by Patel and Bondi, including a statement in which Patel said “we are cleaning up a diseased temple three decades in the making.”

The latest lawsuit is among a growing list of court filings challenging the personnel purge in the Justice Department since Trump returned to office. Numerous agents have been fired under Patel for their part in investigations related to the president or perceived political affiliation against Trump.

The DOJ declined to comment, and the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Josh Gerstein contributed to this report.