The FBI has demoted two veteran agents involved in investigating threats against Stephen Miller’s wife, amid claims that the move followed a dispute over whether the inquiry was legitimate.
Michael Burgwald, the bureau’s special agent in charge of counterterrorism, and assistant special agent in charge Courtland Rae were identified as the two officials affected.
A report said agents in the FBI’s Washington field office had clashed with director Kash Patel on more than one occasion. The investigation into whether threats against Katie Miller were terroristic in nature was reportedly the issue that led to the demotions.
Burgwald and Rae are said to have challenged the inquiry’s handling before being demoted. The claims have not been independently established in the material available.
However, Darren Cox, the Washington field office’s assistant director in charge, denied that the reassignment order came from Mr Patel.
He described the move as a “personnel decision made at the Washington field office level alone based on our constant evaluation of mission needs”.
The two agents have since been transferred back to FBI headquarters.
