Former F.B.I. officials have established a group named the F.B.I. Support Network. It aims to assist current bureau employees facing difficulties under the Trump administration’s significant changes. They claim the workforce experiences immense pressure under the leadership of Director Kash Patel.

The F.B.I. Support Network is an extension of the Justice Connection organization. This group consists of ex-Justice Department employees providing legal, mental health, and job search services to current F.B.I. staff. The founders, who include former agents, analysts, and executives, felt compelled to act. They understand the unique challenges related to the bureau’s work culture and employment policies.

“There’s an incredible amount of tension inside the agency right now,” stated Michael Mason, a former senior executive with the bureau. “We want our colleagues who are still in the service of the F.B.I. to know there are people out here who recognize what is happening. People are being fired without any due process as the Justice Department is being weaponized in ways that are completely foreign to those of us who served long careers there.”

Among the network’s members is Brian Driscoll. He became the acting director of the F.B.I. in early 2025 before being dismissed in August after conflicts with the Trump administration.

“It’s time for those of us who served our country with the F.B.I. to offer our assistance to the special agents, intelligence analysts, and the professional staff who are under attack,” Driscoll stated in a video launching the new group.

Patel denies political motivations in firing agents. He argues the terminations are to remove biased individuals against the president. These claims have sparked heated discussions in congressional hearings, with Democratic lawmakers accusing him of misleading Congress.

Michael Feinberg, a former counterintelligence agent, highlighted the troubling changes. He stated that law enforcement and national security efforts should remain apolitical. Investigating threats and prosecuting criminals should occur without bias or preference.

“You investigate threats and prosecute criminals without fear or favor. Seeing that norm not just eroded but purposely destroyed is fundamentally changing the nature and culture of the F.B.I.,” he remarked.

Feinberg noted that Patel’s denials emphasize the agency’s altered direction. There exists a significant gap between public statements and internal employee experiences. Some employees feel betrayed by senior career executives trying to preserve their positions by siding with Patel.

Devlin Barrett reports for The Times on the Justice Department and the F.B.I.