(MENAFN) The FBI has terminated approximately 20 agents, including several who participated in kneeling alongside demonstrators during the 2020 protests following George Floyd’s death, according to reports.

Floyd, an unarmed Black man, died on May 25, 2020, after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly 10 minutes. His death sparked widespread protests against racial injustice and police brutality, both across the United States and internationally.

At the time, the agents knelt as a gesture to ease tensions with protesters. While internal reviews initially found no violations of bureau policies, the incident later sparked controversy, particularly in conservative media circles. Earlier this year, FBI leadership revisited the matter, reassigning the agents before ultimately deciding on their dismissal.

Reports indicate that around 15 of the dismissed agents were involved in the kneeling demonstration in Washington, DC, an act that had drawn both commendation and criticism. The firings followed a review conducted by the FBI’s inspection division, along with recommendations from the bureau’s general counsel.

The FBI Agents Association condemned the dismissals, arguing that the actions violated the due process rights of those involved and claiming that FBI Director Kash Patel’s decision undermines the agency by removing experienced personnel.

MENAFN28092025000045017281ID1110120688