Coverage dated September 26, 2025

FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest

Headline from NBC New York

The photographs at issue showed a group of agents taking the knee during one of the demonstrations following the May 2020 killing of George Floyd.

NBC New York's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

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Reports & sources

31 articles, oldest first.

MyNorthwest
FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, AP sources say (opens MyNorthwest)
Published Sep 26, 2025
MyNorthwest's feed description
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George
NBC New York
FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest (opens NBC New York)
Published Sep 26, 2025
NBC New York's feed description
The photographs at issue showed a group of agents taking the knee during one of the demonstrations following the May 2020 killing of George Floyd.
NBC News
FBI fires at least 15 agents over conduct during George Floyd protests (opens NBC News)
Published Sep 26, 2025
NBC News's feed description
At least 15 FBI agents were fired Friday in connection with their actions during the protests that followed the death of George Floyd, a source familiar with the terminations told NBC News
WMUR
FBI fires agents photographed kneeling at George Floyd protest (opens WMUR)
Published Sep 26, 2025
WMUR's feed description
The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington that followed the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
NBC4 Washington
FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, sources say (opens NBC4 Washington)
Published Sep 26, 2025
NBC4 Washington's feed description
The photographs at issue showed a group of agents taking the knee during one of the demonstrations following the May 2020 killing of George Floyd.
Breitbart News
Report: FBI Fires Agents Seen Kneeling During 2020 BLM Protest in D.C. (opens Breitbart News)
Published Sep 26, 2025
Breitbart News's feed description
The FBI has reportedly fired several agents who knelt during a 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest in Washington, DC.
New York Post
FBI fires agents who were caught kneeling during 2020 George Floyd protests (opens New York Post)
Published Sep 26, 2025
New York Post's feed description
The photographs at issue showed a group of agents taking a knee in apparent solidarity during one of the demonstrations following the May 2020 killing of Floyd.
WHDH Boston
The FBI has fired agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, AP sources say - Boston News, Weather, Sports (opens WHDH Boston)
Published Sep 26, 2025
WHDH Boston's feed description
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI has fired agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, AP sources say.
The Hill
FBI fires agents who knelt during 2020 racial justice protests (opens The Hill)
Published Sep 26, 2025
The Hill's feed description
FBI fires agents who supported Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. The move comes amid increased scrutiny of FBI Director Kash Patel's leadership.
The Guardian
FBI fires agents who kneeled during 2020 racial justice protest (opens The Guardian)
Published Sep 26, 2025
The Guardian's feed description
Agents kneeled in Washington DC during protests following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis
Wyoming Public Media
FBI agents fired, including some shown kneeling during 2020 protests (opens Wyoming Public Media)
Published Sep 26, 2025
Wyoming Public Media's feed description
Agents said the kneeling was an act of deescalation. The Bureau investigated them at the time and found no causes for discipline. The FBI Agents Association decries the lack of due process.
CNN
FBI fires agents seen kneeling in iconic photo during George Floyd protests five years ago (opens CNN)
Published Sep 26, 2025
CNN's feed description
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has fired as many as 20 FBI agents, including a group associated with a 2020 incident in which agents were photographed kneeling with demonstrators at the height of protests over the police killing of George Floyd, two people briefed on the matter said.
Salon
Kneel, and you’re out: FBI fires agents in 2020 protest picture (opens Salon)
Published Sep 26, 2025
Salon's feed description
Agents fired for kneeling at 2020 George Floyd protests, fueling debate on agency rules and personal expression
Fox News
FBI agents fired after kneeling at George Floyd protest in 2020: reports (opens Fox News)
Published Sep 26, 2025
Fox News's feed description
The FBI under Director Kash Patel has fired approximately 20 agents who kneeled during 2020 protests in Washington, D.C., after George Floyd's killing.
RedState
Finally. Pro-BLM FBI Agents Find Out Over the Infamous Photo of Them Kneeling for Protestors (opens RedState)
Published Sep 26, 2025
RedState's feed description
FBI agents fired after kneeling in solidarity with protesters during 2020 riots in D.C.
CBS News
FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 protest (opens CBS News)
Published Sep 26, 2025
CBS News's feed description
One source told CBS News that the termination letter to the agents cited their alleged "lack of judgement" in their actions.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.