The FBI is disbanding its dedicated squad in the Washington field office that was responsible for investigating allegations of fraud and public corruption involving members of Congress and other federal officials. According to individuals familiar with the situation, this decision is part of a larger reorganization effort within the field office.
One FBI official indicated that although the specific agents from the disbanded squad may be reassigned to other teams, the bureau will continue its pursuit of investigations into corruption among public officials. The exact destinations for the agents' reassignment remain unclear, but there are other existing squads focused on public corruption within the District of Columbia and Virginia.
Sources familiar with the FBI’s decision requested anonymity to discuss personnel changes that had not been publicly shared. This move coincides with a significant shift in how the Trump administration approaches the enforcement of public corruption laws, including plans to reduce the size of a prominent division within the Justice Department that specializes in prosecuting fraud and corruption cases against elected officials.
In tandem with this overhaul, the administration has put a temporary halt on the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which forbids U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials for business advantages. Additionally, leadership within the Justice Department previously urged a judge to dismiss a public corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams, allowing him to focus on the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.
The disbandment of the squad reflects an ongoing reallocation of the FBI’s priorities. Under the leadership of Director Kash Patel, the bureau is shifting its focus toward issues such as illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and violent crime—areas that align closely with the core agenda of the Trump administration.
The Washington field office, recognized as one of the largest FBI facilities in the United States, is tasked with investigating various national security threats, public corruption, and other criminal activities occurring within the nation’s capital. Over the years, the federal public corruption squad has conducted numerous significant investigations, including high-profile cases related to efforts by former President Trump and allies to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election.
This restructuring effort was first reported by NBC News and underscores the evolving landscape of federal law enforcement priorities in the context of changing administration policies.
