FBI Director Kash Patel ordered the ouster of at least 10 employees on Wednesday who were involved in the federal probe into President Donald Trump's retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. The move stems from an internal review that revealed the FBI had subpoenaed phone records of Patel himself and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles during the 2022-2023 investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith.

Patel, a longtime Trump ally who took over as FBI director in February 2025, described the subpoenas as "outrageous and deeply alarming." He accused prior leadership of using "flimsy pretexts" and burying the records in "prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight." The toll records, which include call times and recipients but not content, were obtained as part of Smith's inquiry into Trump's handling of sensitive materials after leaving office in 2021 and related obstruction efforts. Smith dropped the cases following Trump's 2024 reelection, in line with Justice Department policy barring prosecution of a sitting president.

The dismissed personnel include special agents, supervisors, and support staff connected to the August 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago, which uncovered over 100 classified documents. No specific misconduct was publicly attributed to the individuals, but the action fits a pattern of personnel changes under Patel targeting those linked to Trump-related investigations, including the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack probe.

The FBI Agents Association sharply criticized the terminations, calling them "unlawful" and a violation of due process rights for agents who "risk their lives to protect our country." The group warned that the firings strip away expertise, destabilize the workforce, and undermine recruitment efforts, ultimately heightening national security risks.

Patel was confirmed by the Senate in a 51-49 vote on February 20, 2025, and sworn in days later by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Since then, he has overseen multiple rounds of dismissals, including senior agents in January 2026. Officials indicate more changes may follow as Patel continues to reshape the bureau.

The revelations about the subpoenas emerged amid separate scrutiny of Patel's use of FBI resources for personal travel, including attending the Winter Olympics in Italy to celebrate the U.S. men's hockey team's gold medal win over Canada. Patel defended the trip on social media, noting an invitation from the team.