FBI fires agents pictured kneeling at George Floyd protest, US media report

The FBI reportedly fired two agents who were seen kneeling at a protest in support of George Floyd, according to US media. The FBI Agents Association has stated that the terminations, which are yet to be officially confirmed by the bureau, violate the agents' rights. The incident occurred during a protest in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in police custody. The agents were photographed kneeling with protesters, a gesture seen as a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The FBI Agents Association has criticized the reported dismissals, arguing that the agents were exercising their constitutional rights to free speech and assembly. The association has also raised concerns about the potential impact on employee morale and the bureau's ability to recruit and retain talented individuals. The news has sparked discussions about the appropriate boundaries for government employees' political expression and the balance between individual rights and institutional expectations.