An email sent by James Dennehy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, revealed that the FBI finds itself in a difficult position following an order from the Justice Department under the Trump administration to compile a list of personnel involved in investigations related to the January 6 Capitol attack. The message was sent to his staff on a Friday, urging them to prepare for what Dennehy described as a “battle” for the FBI, as the department faces scrutiny from the new administration. The email was sent in response to a request to identify FBI employees who worked on cases connected to the violent events at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
The request from the Justice Department came two weeks after President Trump issued a series of pardons and commutations on his first day back in office, targeting those involved in the January 6 events. Trump referred to the prosecutions of those rioters as a “grave national injustice” and took steps to alleviate their legal troubles. In his email to staff, Dennehy shared his concerns about the broader implications for FBI personnel, stating, “Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the FBI and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and FBI policy.”
Dennehy expressed his determination, stating, “Time for me to dig in,” signaling his commitment to standing firm against the pressures the agency faces. His words reflect the growing tension within the FBI, as nearly a dozen officials have been dismissed from the agency since Trump’s return to office, creating a climate of “fear and angst” within the FBI ranks. The Justice Department’s request to identify employees who worked on the January 6 investigations could involve up to 6,000 staff members out of the FBI’s 38,000 employees, according to the FBI.
In addition to the email, the FBI began sending out a questionnaire to help identify the individuals involved in the January 6-related cases. This questionnaire was distributed over the weekend, with a deadline set for the following Monday. The survey, which consisted of 12 questions, asked FBI officials to disclose their rank, the extent of their involvement in the investigations, and whether they participated in any subsequent trials related to the January 6 event.
Dennehy, while addressing the challenges the FBI faces, lamented the loss of experienced and capable personnel, referring to those who have been dismissed as “extraordinary individuals.” His words echoed the sentiment of many within the FBI who feel the current administration’s actions threaten the integrity of the agency and its employees.
The Trump administration’s order and the FBI’s internal actions come after Trump’s issuance of pardons for the individuals involved in the Capitol attack, positioning the issue of January 6 as a politically charged matter. The administration has framed the investigation into the rioters and the subsequent prosecutions as a serious infringement on the rights of the individuals involved, claiming that it was a political vendetta rather than a legitimate effort to uphold the rule of law.
Following the request to gather information about FBI personnel, Dennehy and other senior FBI officials have been communicating with their staff to ensure they are prepared for what may come. For instance, Mike Herrington, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office, sent an email to clarify his status, reassuring his team that, as of the time of writing, he had not been asked to resign or been given any indication of possible dismissal. At the same time, other FBI leaders and groups, such as the FBI Agents Association, have been working to provide employees with information and support, advising them that they should not be intimidated by the political pressures surrounding the investigation into January 6.
In the wake of the growing tension, the FBI Agents Association released a statement, acknowledging that many agents may feel as if they are being unfairly targeted. The association urged members not to lose sight of the principle that FBI employees, who are performing their jobs with integrity and in line with the law, should not be treated as if they have committed any form of misconduct. The association emphasized the importance of protecting the agency’s workforce and ensuring that personnel are not subjected to political retaliation for performing their duties, particularly in investigations that were meant to uphold the rule of law.
The situation reflects broader political and societal divisions, with tensions running high over the handling of the January 6 attack and the future direction of the FBI under a new administration. As the FBI deals with this internal struggle, the agency’s leadership is navigating a complicated environment where loyalty, legal obligations, and political forces intersect.
