James Dennehy, head of the FBI's New York Field Office and a Marine veteran, delivered an unexpected announcement to his staff on Monday.
According to the Washington Examiner, Dennehy revealed in a message to his staff that he was compelled to step down from his position following his resistance to directives from Trump-appointed officials at the Department of Justice.
The abrupt retirement comes after Dennehy expressed opposition to recent DOJ demands regarding January 6 cases. His forced departure marks a significant shift in the bureau's leadership amid growing tensions between the FBI and DOJ leadership. The decision to remove Dennehy was communicated to him late Friday, with no explicit explanation provided for the sudden directive.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove had instructed the FBI to compile a comprehensive list of employees involved in January 6 investigations for potential personnel action. This directive aligns with former President Trump's executive action that declared the four-year investigation of January 6 rioters a "grave national injustice."
Dennehy had previously voiced his concerns about the treatment of FBI employees, expressing frustration over the targeting of personnel who were simply performing their duties. His stance against these measures ultimately contributed to his forced retirement.
Retired FBI agents have warned that widespread dismissals could pose significant risks to national security. They emphasize that most FBI employees simply follow orders from either DOJ leadership or FBI headquarters.
The situation became more complex when Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the New York Field Office's handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents. She claimed the office was withholding thousands of pages of files connected to the sex trafficking case.
The DOJ's recent release of Epstein-related documents proved controversial, with only 200 pages published, mostly containing previously disclosed information. Bondi has directed newly-confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate the matter and retrieve any outstanding materials.
In his final message to staff, Dennehy expressed regret at not fulfilling his two-year commitment but maintained his pride in the office's integrity. He wrote:
But as I leave today, I have an immense feeling of pride – to have represented an office of professionals who will always do the right thing for the right reasons … who will never bend, break, falter, or quit on your integrity; who will always handle cases and evidence with an overabundance of caution and care for the innocent, the victims, and the process first; and who will always remain independent.
Earlier, Dennehy had demonstrated his determination to resist pressure from the DOJ leadership. In a message to his staff, he declared:
I've been told many times in my life, 'When you find yourself in a hole, sometimes it's best to quit digging.' Screw that. I will never stop defending this joint. I'll just do it willingly and proudly from outside the wire.
His defiant response reflects the growing divide between career FBI officials and political appointees. The FBI has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding Dennehy's departure.
James Dennehy, a 22-year FBI veteran who joined the bureau following the September 11 attacks, was forced to retire from his position as head of the FBI's New York Field Office.
His removal came after resisting DOJ directives regarding January 6 investigations and amid controversy over the handling of Epstein-related documents. The sudden leadership change raises questions about the future direction of the New York Field Office and its relationship with the DOJ leadership under the current administration.
