CBS: Trump administration has demanded that members of the FBI leadership resign

The administration of US President Donald Trump has demanded that a number of high-ranking employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) resign or retire, threatening them with dismissal otherwise, the CBS television channel reported, citing three informed sources.

According to these sources, the reshuffle affected the FBI’s management at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, including several high-ranking officials in charge of key areas – national security, crime and cyber threats. Sources specify that the reshuffle is related to the ongoing audit of the FBI leadership initiated by the Trump administration.

The channel notes that the personnel decisions were made against the backdrop of Senate confirmation hearings for Trump’s nominee to head the FBI – Kash Patel. The latter recently tried to dispel congressmen’s fears that under his leadership the bureau would lose its independence and begin investigations against political opponents of the new head of state.

Patel assured the senators that any measures against FBI employees can be initiated only if there are factual and legal grounds, emphasising that he will not take illegal actions and will act exclusively within the law. He also promised that the FBI would not be involved in politically motivated prosecutions and would not become an instrument of repression.

As CBS recalls, the Trump administration earlier demanded similar personnel changes in the leadership of the Justice Department, particularly in its national security and criminal prosecution divisions.

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