FBI Reportedly Demotes Agents Pictured Kneeling During George Floyd Protest

The FBI has reportedly demoted several agents who knelt during protests over the police killing of George Floyd.

According to the Washington Post, at least four agents who were pictured taking a knee during Black Lives Matter protests in Washington D.C. in June 2020 were reassigned to positions widely viewed as demotions. Prior to the transfer, the agents held senior roles in counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and cybercrime.

The agents weren't given a reason for their transfers, but were among those seen in a widely circulated image of federal authorities kneeling during protests nearly five years ago. The group's actions were viewed by some as a de-escalation tactic. Others saw the kneeling as a political gesture in dissent to racial injustice.

“Those agents were not ever trained to be in that situation,” a former agent told the Washington Post. “Riot control is not our mission. We are trained to de-escalate.’’

The group was reportedly rewarded with $100 gift cards for their actions during the protest by the FBI Agents Association.

Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) previously spoke out against the kneeling agents allegedly receiving “plum personnel opportunities and promotions and advancements” from the bureau.

“Many FBI personnel we were trusting to be on the front lines were photographed kneeling in surrender to people who at times were violent,” Gaetz told Fox News during a 2023 interview.

“To climb the ladder in federal employment, you shouldn’t have to shimmy up the woke totem pole,” he added.

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