The FBI has reassigned several agents who were photographed kneeling with protesters during a 2020 demonstration following the police killing of George Floyd, a move considered by many as a demotion. This decision comes as part of a broader initiative by new FBI leaders to address what former President Trump described as 'woke' and politicized elements within the agency. The incident, where agents kneeled to de-escalate tensions, initially caused internal controversy, although it was later determined that the action did not violate any FBI policies. The reassignment of these agents, perceived as punitive, has sparked concerns about bypassing the standard disciplinary procedures within the bureau. The broader political context of the time, marked by nationwide protests against racism and police brutality, has continued to influence the agency's internal and external dynamics in the years since the incident.

Several FBI agents who kneeled with demonstrators during a 2020 protest against police brutality have been reassigned to less desirable positions, a decision seen as a demotion within the bureau.

The reassignments are part of a broader strategy by the new FBI leadership to remove elements considered 'woke' and politicized, as previously criticized by former President Trump.

The kneeling incident occurred when agents, tasked with protecting federal monuments, faced protesters and opted to kneel to avoid a potential violent confrontation, a decision later deemed non-violative of FBI policy.

Internal reactions to the kneeling incident were mixed, with some agents facing ostracization while others supported the non-violent outcome, highlighting a divide within the agency.

The reassignment decision has raised concerns about bypassing the FBI's regular disciplinary process, which typically involves a lengthy review of incidents and actions.

The incident and its aftermath reflect the broader political and social tensions in the US at the time, with the protests spurred by outrage over George Floyd's death under police custody.

Despite initial resistance, FBI leadership complied with orders to deploy agents for crowd control during the protests, a role for which they were not typically trained, sparking further internal and external debate.