FBI agents involved in investigations related to President Donald Trump have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Justice Department, expressing concerns over the development of a list of employees associated with these inquiries. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, aims to halt the Justice Department’s plans to compile a list of investigators involved in probes of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and Trump’s handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

This legal action follows revelations that the Justice Department requested the FBI to provide details of all employees involved in the January 6 investigations, raising fears among FBI agents of potential mass firings. The agents, identified as anonymous “John and Jane Does,” were instructed to complete surveys about their involvement in these investigations, with concerns that the information could be used for adverse employment actions.

The lawsuit alleges that compiling such lists is retaliatory and intended to intimidate FBI agents, citing past actions by the Trump administration as evidence of a desire for retribution. The agents argue that the scrutiny on their involvement in politically sensitive cases is unwarranted, as there is no evidence of misconduct on their part.

The agents express apprehension that the list could be made public by Trump allies, putting them and their families at risk of retribution. They highlight Trump’s history of seeking revenge against those he perceives as disloyal and assert that the Justice Department’s actions are politically motivated.

The lawsuit signifies a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the FBI agents and the Justice Department, underscoring the tension surrounding investigations related to President Trump and the potential repercussions for those involved.