FBI fires several analysts tied to disputed ‘Catholic ideology’ memo

Several FBI analysts tied to the creation of a 2023 memo warning of a potential threat from Catholic “violent extremists” were fired on Friday, according to their lawyer, the latest wave of terminations under the leadership of its director Kash Patel. The fired employees included four intelligence analysts and a supervisory analyst. The FBI declined to comment. “This action is manifestly unjust, completely unsupported by the facts, and subverts standard FBI policy and procedure,” their lawyer, David Laufman, said in a statement. “These individuals deserved far better for the exceptional and faithful public service they rendered to protect our country.” The January 2023 intelligence product produced by analysts in the FBI’s Richmond, Virginia, field office emerged as a political flashpoint after it was issued, with Republicans in Congress repeatedly citing it as part of their broader contention that the FBI during Joe Biden’s presidency was targeting conservatives. Then FBI director Chris Wray repeatedly denied that charge and the bureau has said the document was quickly retracted and an internal review was launched. Merrick Garland, the attorney general under Biden, has said he was “appalled” by the memo. Earlier justice department investigations into the memo challenged the analytical tradecraft but did not find intentional misconduct by the analysts involved. …