In a major shakeup, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that he has dismantled the agency’s CR-15 public corruption squad and terminated agents involved, following disclosures that the unit monitored communications of several Republican senators.
Patel said that the decision responds to evidence showing the CR-15 unit tracked GOP lawmakers’ phone patterns during an investigation linked to the Jan. 6 probe. More broadly, he framed the move as part of a clean-up effort to restore accountability and prevent political misuse of enforcement powers.
Patel also declared an ongoing internal investigation, promising transparency and further personnel reviews. He emphasized that the firings were aimed at those who “acted unethically,” and said restoring integrity to the FBI is central to his leadership vision.
The announcement has sparked heated reactions on Capitol Hill, where critics are demanding full disclosures of all surveillance directives and oversight measures to prevent recurrence. Meanwhile, supporters of Patel say the action was necessary to rebuild public trust in federal law enforcement.