A former FBI supervisor has accused the Trump administration of pressuring the bureau to investigate protesters in Los Angeles despite concerns that their activities were protected by the US Constitution and FBI policies.
Jill Fields, who previously served as a supervisory intelligence analyst at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, made the allegations in a whistleblower complaint submitted to leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Through her attorneys, Fields asked Congress and the Justice Department’s watchdog to investigate what she described as federal efforts to target anti-ICE protesters around government buildings and in a residential area in Los Angeles.
She alleged that the actions infringed on protesters’ First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.
According to the complaint, Emil Bove, who was then acting deputy attorney general, directed the head of the Los Angeles field office to investigate activities outside a federal building, despite Fields’ belief that the conduct was constitutionally protected.
She also alleged that the White House instructed FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate protesters who used megaphones during immigration enforcement operations.
Fields said FBI agents had already reviewed the protesters’ conduct and decided against opening an investigation before the alleged White House directive.
The complaint said President Donald Trump had watched a video showing people using megaphones to alert residents about immigration enforcement activities, inform them of their legal rights and encourage them not to open their doors unless immigration officers had judicial warrants.
According to Fields’ complaint, a person whose name was redacted told her that an investigation would be launched because “the President wants this investigation.”
The protests occurred across Los Angeles after the Trump administration began an immigration enforcement operation in the city.
Fields also alleged that FBI officials reassigned agents from active cartel investigations to the protest-related work, with one supervisor describing the move as necessary for “optics” intended to “make a show for the president.”
The same area later became a major centre of protests as immigration enforcement operations expanded to cities across the United States.
The FBI and Justice Department had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
Justice Department officials have previously maintained that federal employees are expected to follow the priorities of the Trump administration.
Fields further alleged that supervisors were instructed to avoid putting certain directives in writing, meaning that many instructions were delivered during face-to-face meetings.
She said she was eventually excluded from the matter after refusing to participate and therefore did not know whether a formal investigation was ultimately opened.
The former FBI supervisor also consulted a senior bureau official responsible for privacy and civil liberties issues. According to the complaint, the official expressed concern about the investigation and later told Fields she intended to resign.
Fields subsequently left the FBI after being informed that she would be removed from overseeing three programmes. She believes the decision was retaliation for protected disclosures she had made internally.
Her lawyers said the alleged conduct “created a chilling effect within the workforce” and “signaled to other employees that raising constitutional or legal concerns could carry professional consequences.”
The complaint added that the conduct “had significant consequences for constitutional rights, and the integrity and effective operation of the FBI.”
The allegations come amid broader concerns from former Justice Department employees and other critics over changes within federal law enforcement since Trump returned to office.
Hundreds of FBI agents and Justice Department lawyers have reportedly resigned or been dismissed, including personnel involved in investigations concerning Trump. Former department officials have also raised concerns about political influence over the nation’s leading federal law enforcement agency.
Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, described Fields’ disclosure as another example of what he characterised as the Trump administration’s use of the Justice Department against perceived political opponents.
Padilla, the ranking member of the Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, citizenship and border safety, said, “How many more of these investigations have been opened up because of political pressure coming from the White House, despite the questions and concerns about legality and constitutionality?”
He noted that unilateral dismissals of civil servants and the removal of government watchdogs had made congressional oversight more difficult.
“That’s going to be a significant challenge, but it begins with good, honorable professionals being willing to come forward and tell us what’s going on and what’s wrong with what’s going on,” Padilla said. “We’re hoping others may be inspired, as well.”
Fields is represented by the Government Accountability Project and David Laufman, a former senior official in the Justice Department’s National Security Section.
