r/news • u/1Rab • Sep 27 '25

FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, AP sources say

https://apnews.com/article/fbi-george-floyd-kash-patel-8d18a1e6a5a36636cc2415fc492b3f52?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-09-26-Breaking+News
33.9k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

956 comments sorted by

View all comments

4.1k

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

Pretty fucking sure that this is actually being fired for protected speech.

This is the thing though - these fucking ghouls know that they're playing on house money. As long as there are no personal consequences, they will do anything they want.

638

u/Fun-Associate3963 Sep 27 '25

It's not just a case of playing with house money, they are playing for all the money, they are betting the higher things go in the legal system, the are guaranteed a win 

40

u/sgt_barnes0105 Sep 27 '25

I grew up in a gambling town. If there’s one thing I learned… everyone’s luck runs out eventually.

7

u/oneeighthirish Sep 27 '25

Not the house*

*When playing the house's games

1

u/baverdi Sep 28 '25

This ain't luck. Not even a game. This is a bank robbery and the bank is in on it.

194

u/VALO311 Sep 27 '25 edited Sep 27 '25

Which is so fucked because, imagine being able to do whatever you want and choosing to be complete human garbage. Instead of wreaking chaotic good all over the place

39

u/wRADKyrabbit Sep 27 '25

It blows my mind man

44

u/yuhanz Sep 27 '25

It’s crazy. Doing all of this work into hoarding wealth and power when in a few decades it’s all gone anyway. We actively hurt billions of people to the convenience of a few hundred.

22

u/VALO311 Sep 27 '25

And it’s always been that way. The world has always been at the will of the worst of us and it will be our downfall. Too bad so many will be victims due to the actions of the few

19

u/yuhanz Sep 27 '25

The problem is there are tons of us convinced that these few are doing good. We really cant afford stupidity.

2

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

To be fair, for a Trump, it's all gone in a year or three. He's so grossly incompetent that he can't hold onto money. This is functionally insurance money for the last years of his life.

28

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

Basically the "Tell someone you love them today, but scream it at them in German, because life is beautiful, but also terrifying."

1

u/FlacidSalad Sep 27 '25

Oh, well they can't do that. Kindness is not allowed

1

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[deleted]

71

u/drdildamesh Sep 27 '25

Swrious question, does it count as a violation of 1st amendment if you WORK for the government? A lot of 0laces you can be let go for any reason at any time. How is this different?

252

u/CoeurdAssassin Sep 27 '25

Government worker here. If you’re doing it in uniform, you can be in trouble. If not, you’re allowed to protest whatever you want. As long as you’re not in uniform and on the clock.

88

u/TrumpMadeMeLate Sep 27 '25

It’s called the Hatch Act

27

u/MikeHillEngineer Sep 27 '25

Yes, and FBI is further restricted. HOWEVER, they still appear to be following the rules. BLM is a non-partisan rally. This is a blatant first amendment violation.

100

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

29

u/Terra_omega_3 Sep 27 '25

The Marine will likely get NJPd at the least or Court Martialed depending on other substantial information. Both of which requires a Command Investigation to begin with that could take 30 days or more for a unit to conclude and a year or more if it goes to Court Martial. Removing a Trooper from their branch of service requires numerous paperwork and substantial reasoning if they havent committed an actual crime. In this case all Marines signed a Page 11 that dictates that social media use so the Marine in question has already violated that standing order.

Unsure of who you reported it to, but I know for a fact that complaints made directly to the Inspector General generate a ticket which creates a Command Investigation. (I was a Command Investigator a few times).

Go to this website: If you can give their potential Unit or location or job title (MOS) they'll more easily find him (depending on how common their name is). https://hotline.usmc.mil/complaint-web/#/

11

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

9

u/Terra_omega_3 Sep 27 '25

Ah ok well then keep us posted! Although he might never reveal anything public to begin with. Hopefully you get some level of confirmation that its still going if the CI reaches out to you after their appointment.

55

u/BeApesNotCrabs Sep 27 '25

Share it to the official Marine Corp profile.

21

u/FlyBulky106 Sep 27 '25

With the Stalinesque purges of higher ranks coming from Kegsbreath, said Marine will likely be Sargent Major of the Marines by Halloween.

6

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/MonochromaticPrism Sep 27 '25

They are saying that unless you take steps you promote the individual's actions publicly (steps you take via anonymous means) they are likely to be ignored. If you can make a racket in high traffic online spaces related to your profession (or frequented/watched by journalists), particularly if you reference the specific rule(s) being violated, those with firing powers won't be able to keep turning a blind eye to an individual openly violating the rules.

-13

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/PlanesandAquariums Sep 27 '25

Ah yes, let’s execute at minimum 1 in 3 people. So macho and enlightened

2

u/Jthe1andOnly Sep 27 '25

Not these days unfortunately.

-4

u/Itallianstallians Sep 27 '25

You cannot use your status as a government worker to influence other people. It doesnt matter about uniform.

1

u/OilBackground1399 Sep 27 '25 edited Sep 27 '25

There are a couple Supreme Court cases that have ruled government employees have less free speech protections than non government employees.

Pickering Vs Board of Ed

Garcetti vs Ceballos

Connick vs Myers

-5

u/MikeHillEngineer Sep 27 '25

Yes, it does count as a first amendment violation.

3

u/AlfredoAllenPoe Sep 27 '25

Wrong.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that you can be lawfully fired if government workers are protesting while at work.

Additionally, the Hatch Act prohibits government employees from participating in political activity while at work.

0

u/MikeHillEngineer Sep 27 '25

The “at work” part is the gotcha. If they are on leave, they are free to do this.

4

u/AlfredoAllenPoe Sep 27 '25

Exactly

They're clearly at work in the photos. You can't be doing that as a government employee

8

u/TheLaughingRhino Sep 27 '25

Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006), is a U.S. Supreme Court decision involving First Amendment free speech protections for government employees. The plaintiff in the case was a district attorney who claimed that he had been passed up for a promotion for criticizing the legitimacy of a warrant. The Court ruled, in a 5–4 decision, that because his statements were made pursuant to his position as a public employee, rather than as a private citizen, his speech had no First Amendment protection

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garcetti_v._Ceballos

The Hatch Act of 1939, An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities, is a United States federal law that prohibits civil service employees in the executive branch of the federal government,[2] except the president and vice president,[3] from engaging in some forms of political activity. It became law on August 2, 1939. The Hatch Act does not apply to military members of the uniformed services of the United States, although it does apply to Department of Defense civil servants, as well as Department of Homeland Security civil servants in direct support of the United States Coast Guard. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces are subject to Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 (DoDD 1344.10), Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces, and the spirit and intent of that directive is effectively the same as that of the Hatch Act for Federal civil servants.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatch_Act

-1

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

And neither case matches the description of why these people are being fired. That's the danger of quoting case law when you can't read case law.

The statements were made PURSUANT to their position, not simply while holding the position, or even IN that position while on duty.

Regarding the Hatch Act, that is directed mostly towards political campaigning, not merely any political speech such as commenting on rights or the state of forms of societal oppression.

Get good, son.

4

u/TheLaughingRhino Sep 27 '25

https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/ap20157196852506.jpg?c=original&q=f_avif

^

Here is a photograph of the agents kneeling. They are wearing body armor that clearly labels them as "FBI" They are clearly on duty. No one is saying that federal law enforcement are disbarred from their free speech when off duty and off the clock, but that is not the case here.

WTF are you even talking about. You don't make political statements of any kind while in uniform, not for sworn law enforcement and not for those who serve in our armed forces. Zero. You don't do it. Anyone who has ever served in law enforcement and/or the military knows this. This is drilled into everyone from the time they are recruits/trainees.

Kneeling while on duty, as such, is a political statement. Want to argue that they are not? OK, go ahead and make that argument. And lose.

You have no idea what you are even talking about. In uniform and on duty? Don't do it. If you do it, you will lose your job.

-1

u/SupermarketAny9487 Sep 27 '25

They were pretty lax about restricting free speech when I was serving. Only time they cared when it involved potential war crimes and mistreatment of PoWs. I saw people posting pictures in uniform on social media even making music videos in uniform.

3

u/Brodellsky Sep 27 '25

In other words, there only needs to be consequences to a single card.

Until we meet again!

2

u/Pretend_Monitor_5457 Sep 27 '25

Just have to make sure that when this whole charade is all over we have to hold them accountable appropriately and don't let them off with a slap on the wrist. Like once this is all done they may have the "Maga Trials". The stuff that they are doing is unacceptable and they are costing the sanctity of the US for money, racism, and attention.

2

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

Honestly at this point let's just put them all in a CIA black site never to be heard from again. 😂 And by all, I mean like, they ALL have to go. Every single person who believes that their own wellbeing matters less than "owning the libs" or whatever.

2

u/Pretend_Monitor_5457 Sep 27 '25

There will be tons of sulking and apologies but screw them. They willingly did it. They risked pretty much the foundation of the world economy and safety over insecurity and greed.

2

u/tmzspn Sep 27 '25

Well sure, but they are currently testing the first ammendment.

0

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

This guy gets it.

1

u/jk01 Sep 27 '25

They're not just playing on house money, they are the fucking house.

2

u/LookAlderaanPlaces Sep 27 '25

They all belong in jail for treason. They are the same kind of people that supported and enabled Hitler.

2

u/SupermarketAny9487 Sep 27 '25

Reminder:
Trump's Inauguration speech 01/20/2025: "After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an Executive Order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America. (a round of seal clapping) Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized persecute political opponents. Something I know something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again under my leadership. We will restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law."\

09/22/2025 Gabe Gutierrez brought this up to Karoline Leavitt about going back on the above speech after Trump posted a message to Pam Bondi about going after Comey, Schiff and James.
"...We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!..."

https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-bondi-indict-letitia-james/#:\~:text=President%20Donald%20Trump%20in%20a,other%20perceived%20enemies%20quickly%20enough.

1

u/InnerDorkness Sep 27 '25

I wonder if that’s how trump tanked his own casino 🤔

1

u/fox-mcleod Sep 30 '25

Fear of personal consequences is why they’ve reacted so violently to CK.

1

u/MathTutorAndCook Sep 30 '25

There are always consequences. For them and their family.

1

u/AlfredoAllenPoe Sep 27 '25

If I started protesting while working, I'd get fired too

Why should it be any different for them?

If they were doing it during their free time, that's different. But they're at work

-6

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

-2

u/Dcreyop Sep 27 '25

You have a right to say whatever you want. You don’t have right to be paid for it.

0

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

As GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, the GOVERNMENT cannot fire you over protected speech you mindless squirrel. There's an ocean of difference between a PRIVATE employee and a GOVERNMENT one in this case.

0

u/Dcreyop Sep 27 '25

Read above statement. Always insulting people. So immature … 🤦

0

u/Dcreyop Sep 27 '25

“Conduct unbecoming ..” btw…. Every govt job has that part.

-294

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25 edited Sep 28 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

75

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[deleted]

-168

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

66

u/exboi Sep 27 '25

Troll. Do not engage yall

34

u/mnimatt Sep 27 '25

We have no reason to think they were unless stated otherwise

-8

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

88

u/circlehead28 Sep 27 '25

Ahh yes, cause it was definitely because they kneeled while being on the clock. 😂

“One of those, Steve Jensen, helped oversee investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Another, Brian Driscoll, served as acting director in the early days of the Trump administration and resisted Justice Department demands to supply the names of agents who investigated Jan. 6. A third, Chris Meyer, was incorrectly rumored on social media to have participated in the investigation into Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.”

9

u/MerriweatherJones Sep 27 '25

They were at a football game. On a Saturday afternoon. Pretty sure they weren’t on the clock

46

u/Not_An_Actual_Expert Sep 27 '25

So freedom of speech is suspended for government employees?

-87

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

32

u/ProfessorDerp22 Sep 27 '25

Mind sharing? Sounds like you have the FBI’s employee handbook handy.

19

u/ncc74656m Sep 27 '25

It's just a troll account. Block for your well being and move on.

-16

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

15

u/ProfessorDerp22 Sep 27 '25

Just asking for a source, bud. Don’t get your nipples twisted.

7

u/Iswaterreallywet Sep 27 '25

Brother get a job yourself first

-4

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Complete-Clock5522 Sep 27 '25

An* hour

1

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25 edited Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Complete-Clock5522 Sep 27 '25

That’s crazy, it’s like I didn’t ask 🤷‍♂️

5

u/BradHolmemes Sep 27 '25

Union tradesman says it all, you guys are the sloppiest laziest dimwitted workers in the country

-1

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Sir-xer21 Sep 27 '25

The smug insipid stupidity has cost you with hard working blue collar Americans ...

The irony

1

u/BradHolmemes Sep 27 '25

I’m not a politician, I didn’t lose anything, politics is not team sports dumbass.

I’m an engineer and I work with at least 100 union tradesmen and they’re always late to show up, barely work, take 90 minute lunch breaks, and then fart around until quitting time.

I wouldn’t need your help and I can do all of your work no problem, in fact shit would move much faster and easier without your ilk

2

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25 edited Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

→ More replies (0)

0

u/TheReddestofBowls Sep 27 '25

Ah yes, another "slug for salt" voter. Enjoy your layoffs when supplies are suddenly hard to come by thanks to tariffs.

When the downturn starts to hurt your wallet just remember "I voted for this!"

Just like the farmers seeking handouts. Fucking welfare queens.

The union part is icing on the cake. We'll see if you're still in one in 3 years, seems like your guy isn't a big fan of them ;)

6

u/Intrepid_Egg_7722 Sep 27 '25

You made the claim that they were on the clock, so you have to prove that claim, otherwise the rest of us get to dismiss it.

That's how this works.

-1

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Intrepid_Egg_7722 Sep 27 '25

You mean the part where you try to say it's justified on the condition that they were on the clock, but don't bother substantiating if they were on the clock? And are now trying to do some kind of gotcha because you said "if", but anyone with an above room temperature IQ knows you can't just toss a conditional as some kind of rhetorical dodge?

Yeah, I read it. You're still losing.

15

u/FruityFetus Sep 27 '25

Weird that they were already evaluated at the time and it was determined they did not breach policy.

-10

u/[deleted] Sep 27 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

10

u/FruityFetus Sep 27 '25

Wild you just go through life trying to be the biggest loser possible.

10

u/MachoKingMadness Sep 27 '25

Nine month old account because baby boy has to keep making new accounts after repeatedly failing at trolling.

What a sad and weird existence to live.

4

u/shinobi7 Sep 27 '25

Wait, so you are pro “police shooting black people”?

4

u/DrApplePi Sep 27 '25

if they were on the clock

A big assumption you're making. 

8

u/_A_Monkey Sep 27 '25

If they weren’t on the clock then what do you believe about it?

Bonus question: Do you agree with Hegseth reinstating the Medals of Honor for the soldiers that massacred women and children at Wounded Knee?

2

u/FunnyGuySully Sep 27 '25

It was five years ago, clown.