Several FBI agents who were photographed kneeling with protesters during a 2020 demonstration in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing have now been quietly reassigned to less prominent roles within the bureau, sources familiar with the matter have told Wafriknews.

The kneeling moment, captured during a tense protest in Washington, D.C., became symbolic for many as an act of de-escalation and empathy. However, nearly five years later, it appears the agents involved are facing professional consequences—reassignments viewed by many inside the FBI as demotions.

The FBI declined to comment on the personnel changes, citing its longstanding policy of not discussing individual assignments. The affected agents have also not responded to media requests for comment.

According to insiders, this move is part of a broader shakeup under the new Trump-aligned leadership, which has vowed to purge what it calls "woke" or politically motivated behavior within federal agencies. Critics argue that the kneeling agents are being unfairly targeted for actions meant to calm tensions, not to make political statements.

“It’s disturbing,” said a former senior FBI official. “To go after these agents years later, bypassing the normal disciplinary process, sends the wrong message. They were trying to prevent violence, not take sides.”

The reassignments come amid a sweeping internal review by the Justice Department, now examining the conduct of over 1,500 agents involved in high-profile investigations during Trump’s first term. That includes those who participated in the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and those involved in January 6-related cases. Many inside the bureau are bracing for further retribution.

The kneeling incident took place during protests outside federal buildings in Washington. A group of FBI agents—typically not trained for crowd control—were deployed to protect monuments and infrastructure during a summer of nationwide demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism. When protesters approached, some agents chose to kneel, following the lead of National Guard members who had used similar tactics in prior standoffs.

The gesture diffused tension and helped prevent escalation, according to several officials who were present or later briefed on the situation. Yet, when photos of the moment circulated online, backlash erupted from within the bureau. Some of the kneeling agents faced criticism and ostracism, while others were quietly supported by colleagues who saw the move as a smart way to avoid violence.

Top FBI leadership at the time reviewed the incident and found no violation of policy, according to former and current officials. Still, the kneeling has since become a political flashpoint, often cited by Republican lawmakers in their criticism of what they perceive as political bias within federal law enforcement.

The protests in which the agents took part were part of a wave of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed during an arrest in Minneapolis. Footage showing police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes ignited global outrage and renewed conversations about police brutality.

At the time, then-President Donald Trump called for a forceful response. Attorney General Bill Barr ordered federal law enforcement, including the FBI, into the streets for crowd control—an unusual request met with resistance from within the bureau. Ultimately, the FBI complied, assigning agents to duties many were untrained for.

“What the bureau asked them to do that day wasn’t part of their job description,” the former FBI official added. “They were trying to keep the peace. That wasn’t politics—it was professionalism.”

As the political climate shifts once again, so too does the internal culture of one of America’s most powerful law enforcement agencies. For the agents involved in that moment of solidarity, the price may be high—even if their intentions were to help, not to divide.


By WafricNews Desk | April 30, 2025