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FBI whistleblower alleges White House pushed probe of LA anti-ICE protesters
Коротко
A former FBI supervisory intelligence analyst in Los Angeles, Jill Fields, filed a whistleblower complaint alleging the White House and Justice Department pushed the bureau to investigate anti-ICE protesters in violation of their First Amendment rights and FBI policy. The complaint says President Donald Trump viewed a TikTok video of protesters in Alhambra, California, and directed FBI Director Kash Patel to open an investigation. The White House called the allegations false, saying the First Amendment does not protect violent rioting or assaults on law enforcement.
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A former FBI intelligence analyst in Los Angeles has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that the White House and senior Justice Department and FBI officials pushed the bureau to open investigations into anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters, in violation of their constitutional rights and FBI policy. The complaint, from Jill Fields, a former supervisory intelligence analyst in the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, was sent by her lawyers to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to NBC News, CNN and The Guardian US, which reviewed the disclosure. Fields asks Congress and the Justice Department’s watchdog to investigate the allegations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Fields alleges two instances of pressure. In one, she says Emil Bove, then the acting deputy attorney general, told the head of the Los Angeles field office, Akil Davis, to open an investigation into protesters’ activities outside federal buildings even though she says the demonstrations were protected free speech. In the other, she says President Donald Trump viewed a TikTok video of protesters in Alhambra, California, using megaphones to alert residents about the presence of immigration officers and to advise them of their legal rights, and that a directive to investigate them was communicated from the White House to FBI Director Kash Patel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
The complaint says a person whose name is redacted told Fields an investigation would be opened because “the President wants this investigation.” She also says FBI agents in Los Angeles were pulled off active cartel cases to satisfy what a supervisor described as “optics,” and that she was reassigned from the cartels squad. The complaint states that investigations targeting people solely for First Amendment activity are illegal and contrary to FBI policy. [ 1 , 5 ]
The White House rejected the allegations. “These allegations are FALSE. The First Amendment does not protect violent rioting, obstructing law enforcement, and assaulting law enforcement,” spokeswoman Lauren Bis said in a statement reported by CNN. A Justice Department spokesperson told CNN the department would continue to “vigorously uphold the First Amendment rights of all Americans and restore the rule of law,” adding that violence is not protected by the First Amendment and that “politically motivated attacks will not deter us from doing our job.” CNN said it had also reached out to the FBI for comment. [ 2 , 3 ]
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who said his office received a copy of the complaint, called the allegations “deeply alarming” and said using the FBI to target Americans for exercising their First Amendment rights “directly undermines our nation’s foundational values.” The Hill reported that Padilla demanded a response from FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche, saying the complaint showed the agencies were willing to start investigations “at the behest of the White House and Trump loyalists.” [ 3 , 5 ]
The complaint follows the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles and protests around federal buildings and in a residential area. Fields joined the FBI in May 2016, according to The Guardian US. [ 3 ]
Почему это важно
The complaint alleges that federal law enforcement was directed to investigate people for political speech, a claim that goes to the FBI’s independence and to First Amendment protections. It has drawn a response from California Sen. Alex Padilla and demands for answers from the FBI director and the attorney general, meaning the allegations are now part of a congressional oversight fight. The White House and Justice Department deny wrongdoing, so the dispute is unresolved.
Ключевые факты
- Jill Fields, a former supervisory intelligence analyst in the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, filed a whistleblower complaint with Senate Judiciary Committee leaders. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The complaint alleges the White House and Justice Department pushed the FBI to investigate Los Angeles anti-ICE protesters, violating their constitutional rights and FBI policy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Fields alleges Emil Bove, then the acting deputy attorney general, told the head of the Los Angeles field office to open an investigation into protesters outside federal buildings. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- The complaint says President Donald Trump viewed a video of protesters in Alhambra, California, using megaphones to alert residents about immigration officers, and that a directive was communicated from the White House to FBI Director Kash Patel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The White House said the allegations are false and that the First Amendment does not protect violent rioting or assaults on law enforcement. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said his office received a copy of the complaint and demanded a response from FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche. [ 3 , 5 ]
Подтверждено несколькими источниками
- A whistleblower complaint from former FBI supervisory intelligence analyst Jill Fields alleges the White House and Justice Department pushed the FBI to investigate Los Angeles anti-ICE protesters in violation of their constitutional rights and FBI policy. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Fields alleges Emil Bove, then the acting deputy attorney general, directed the head of the Los Angeles field office to open an investigation into protesters’ activities outside federal buildings. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- The complaint says President Donald Trump viewed a video of protesters in Alhambra, California, using megaphones to alert residents about immigration officers, and that the directive was communicated from the White House to FBI Director Kash Patel. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The White House said the allegations are false and that the First Amendment does not protect violent rioting, obstructing law enforcement or assaulting law enforcement. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said his office received a copy of the complaint and demanded a response from FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche. [ 3 , 5 ]
Пока неясно
- Whether the FBI opened or pursued the investigations described in the complaint, and what became of them. The documents describe alleged preliminary investigations and directives but do not state any outcome or confirm that investigations proceeded.
- The identity of the person whose name is redacted in the complaint who told Fields an investigation would be opened because “the President wants this investigation.” The complaint names the person only as redacted, according to NBC News.
- Whether the whistleblower’s allegations are accurate. The White House called the allegations “FALSE” and said the investigation concerned violent acts; the documents do not resolve the dispute.
- Whether Congress or the Justice Department’s watchdog will investigate, as Fields requested. The complaint asks Congress and the DOJ inspector general to investigate, but the documents report no commitment from either.
Что пишут местные СМИ
Хронология, местное время
- NBC News first reports the whistleblower complaint and the allegation that the White House pushed the FBI to investigate Los Angeles protesters. [ 1 , 3 ]
- CNN reports it reviewed the complaint and carries statements from a Justice Department spokesperson and White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis denying the allegations. [ 2 ]
- The Guardian US reports Sen. Alex Padilla received a copy of the complaint and called the allegations “deeply alarming.” [ 3 ]
- NBC News airs a follow-up segment detailing the complaint and the White House reaction. [ 4 ]
- The Hill reports Padilla demanded a response from FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche. [ 5 ]