Gaetz demands answers on FBI agents seen kneeling at Black Lives Matter protests
Cami Mondeaux
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House Republicans are ramping up efforts to crack down on perceived political bias in the federal government aimed against conservatives, this time narrowing in on the conduct of FBI agents during racial justice protests in the summer of 2020.
In a letter sent to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) demanded information on at least five agents who were seemingly kneeling in solidarity while patrolling the protests. The Florida Republican included a photo “believed to be” showing FBI agent Sarah Linden kneeling on the ground during a protest in Washington, D.C., which Gaetz denounced as showing support for “seditious riots that caused so much destruction.”
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“In the late Spring and early Summer of 2020, a nationwide series of violent riots swept across the United States, causing millions of dollars in property damage,” Gaetz wrote. “During these events, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel were quite literally ‘on the line’ defending our nation’s Capitol in an attack that has not been surpassed since in either its scope or violence. Perhaps in an effort to placate the mob, on June 4, 2020, at least six alleged FBI agents were filmed kneeling in supplication.”
In response, Gaetz outlined five questions for the FBI director regarding Linden’s position in the agency, specifically asking if she now serves as the acting special agent in charge of the criminal division within the Washington Field Office. The letter also requests Wray to confirm the identity of Linden in the attached photo.
Gaetz pressed Wray to disclose whether the FBI was aware of the agents’ conduct during the protests, seeking information on what policies or procedures the FBI enforces to ensure those “who express support for organizations and movements that seek the violent overthrow of the United States government are not promoted.”
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The letter is the latest effort from the House GOP to target what it calls the “weaponization” of the federal government — specifically against conservatives. As a result, Judiciary Republicans created the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government to investigate several federal government agencies, including the FBI, Justice Department, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Gaetz is a member of that committee.
Gaetz issued a deadline of July 7 for Wray to respond to the request, although it’s not clear whether he will comply. However, Wray is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on July 12, a source told the Washington Examiner. A spokesperson for the FBI did not respond to a request for comment.