Trump Administration Fires Jan. 6 Prosecutors, Seeks FBI Agents’ Names in Sweeping Purge

WASHINGTON— In a dramatic move signaling an effort to assert control over federal law enforcement, the Trump administration on Friday dismissed a group of prosecutors handling Jan. 6 criminal cases and sought the names of FBI agents involved in those investigations, raising concerns over political interference in the justice system.

According to a memo obtained by the Associated Press, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered the termination of multiple prosecutors just days after President Donald Trump issued a sweeping clemency action benefiting more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the 2021 U.S. Capitol attack. A source familiar with the matter, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue, confirmed that around two dozen employees from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington were fired as part of this action.

Beyond removing prosecutors, the Trump administration has also demanded the names of FBI agents involved in the Jan. 6 probes, a move seen by critics as a precursor to further purges of law enforcement officials deemed insufficiently loyal to the administration. The request has alarmed legal experts and lawmakers, with many viewing it as an attempt to undermine the independence of the Justice Department and reshape federal law enforcement to align with the president’s political interests.

The firings come amid Trump’s broader efforts to overhaul the federal government and install loyalists in key positions. Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly criticized the Justice Department and FBI, portraying them as politically biased against him. The ouster of prosecutors handling cases tied to the Capitol riot marks a significant escalation in his long-standing battle against what he has called the “deep state.”

Legal analysts and former Justice Department officials have expressed deep concern over the move, warning that it could erode public trust in the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent for political interference in criminal prosecutions. Critics argue that by removing those responsible for holding Capitol rioters accountable, the administration is effectively rewriting history and undermining the pursuit of justice for one of the most significant attacks on American democracy in recent history.

As the situation unfolds, congressional Democrats and watchdog groups are calling for immediate investigations into the firings and requests for FBI personnel records, citing the potential for obstruction of justice and abuse of power. Meanwhile, supporters of the president have defended the actions, arguing that the Jan. 6 cases have been politicized and that law enforcement agencies need reform to remove anti-Trump bias.

With tensions mounting, the Justice Department now faces a critical test of its independence, and the fate of the ongoing Jan. 6 prosecutions hangs in the balance.