RANKING MEMBER MENG RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT KASH PATEL’S FIRING OF IRAN COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AGENTS LEADING UP TO WAR IN IRAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel raising concerns about his decision to fire several agents from the Bureau's top Middle East counterintelligence unit just days before U.S. military operations began against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Recent reports allege that Director Patel personally ordered the termination of multiple agents and staff from CI-12, the FBI's elite counterintelligence division responsible for tracking threats originating from Iran and other parts of the Middle East. The reports come amidst concerns raised by national security and intelligence community analysts that Iranian sleeper cells-groups of undercover agents-could increase activity across the United States in response to Operation Epic Fury.

According to reports, each of the dismissed employees had previously been involved in the investigation into President Trump's handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. One of the functions of CI-12 is to investigate mishandling of classified documents, in addition to counterterrorism and counterintelligence.

"At this tense moment, Americans deserve to know our law enforcement agencies are doing everything in their power to keep them safe. I am deeply concerned by Director Patel's decision to fire these public servants who were elite agents conducting irreplaceable counterintelligence, especially in the wake of Operation Epic Fury," said Ranking Member Meng. "His pattern of political retaliation undermines our national security. Americans deserve answers from Director Patel and this Administration about how they are defending our nation against escalating threats from Iran and across the Middle East, including any threats to the homeland."

In her letter, Meng asks Director Patel to justify why the CI-12 agents and staffers were fired, as well as provide information on staffing levels for counter-intelligence and counter-espionage teams since the President's second term began, and an outline of how the FBI is coordinating with state, local, and international partners to address potential threats at home and abroad.

A copy of the letter to Director Patel can be viewed here.