FBI Director Kash Patel has initiated a series of dismissals within the bureau, including the firing of agent Walter Giardina, who was involved in investigations related to former President Donald Trump and his allies. Patel accused Giardina of being a political operative and weaponizing the FBI. This ongoing purge of senior FBI personnel is unprecedented in the bureau's modern history and has drawn criticism from former national security and FBI officials, who warn that the agency risks being transformed into a political enforcement arm. Supporters of Patel view the removals as a step toward deweaponizing the FBI and restoring public trust. Additionally, Patel highlighted that during the first 200 days of the Trump administration, the FBI arrested 1,600 criminals involved in violence against children, including 270 human traffickers.