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Three former FBI agents involved in the 2020 election investigation have filed a class-action lawsuit, arguing they were forced out in a politically motivated purge under the Trump administration.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: Shortly after President Biden took office, the FBI intensified its investigation into alleged efforts by President Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Their investigation focused on alleged schemes to interfere with the certification of electoral votes and pressure state officials to alter outcomes. The inquiry, later overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith, examined actions including the coordination of alternate electors, attempts to influence the Justice Department, and the events leading up to January 6. In 2023, the investigation resulted in a federal indictment charging Trump with conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct the electoral process, though the case was ultimately dropped after his re-election in 2024 due to longstanding Justice Department policy. Trump and his supporters repeatedly denounced the investigation as a politically motivated “witch hunt,” claiming it weaponized federal law enforcement against him, while some allies in Congress criticized investigative steps such as subpoenas targeting Republican lawmakers, arguing they overstepped legal and constitutional boundaries.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, three former Federal Bureau of Investigation agents (Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman, and Blaire Toleman) have filed a class-action lawsuit saying they were removed from their roles as part of what they characterize as a wider pattern of retaliation tied to political motives. The agents, who all worked on public corruption investigations in the FBI’s Washington field office, claim they were abruptly fired in late 2024 even though they had lengthy service records and were not given a chance to respond or defend themselves before being dismissed.

In their complaint, the agents argue that their firings were directly tied to their involvement in the Trump-related investigations and were based on a perceived lack of political loyalty rather than any misconduct. They say termination letters signed by FBI Director Kash Patel falsely accused them of “weaponizing” their positions, a claim they strongly deny.

The lawsuit claims that these accusations not only cost them their jobs but also hurt their standing in the law enforcement community by suggesting they acted with political bias instead of carrying out their duties as neutral investigators.

The suit seeks class-action status to represent dozens of former FBI personnel who were removed from their positions under similar circumstances. The plaintiffs are asking the court for reinstatement and back pay, while also seeking relief for what they argue were violations of constitutional protections, including free speech and due process rights. They also aim to block what they describe as an ongoing pattern of politically motivated firings within federal law enforcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi are listed as defendants in the lawsuit. As of now, the Justice Department and FBI have not commented on the lawsuit.