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A veteran FBI employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the bureau, alleging he was unlawfully fired last month for previously displaying a gay pride flag at his workstation. The employee, who had served for over a decade in a non-agent capacity before being accepted into the agency's prestigious training program, claims his dismissal was an act of discrimination based on his sexual orientation.
The controversial dismissal occurred in October 2025, when the employee was a new agent trainee at the FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia. According to multiple reports, FBI Director Kash Patel, a senior official in the administration, personally made the decision to terminate him. The reason cited was the display of a small Pride flag on his desk at the Los Angeles field office, a role he held before entering the academy. As first reported by news outlets, the firing notice came without warning while the trainee was in the midst of his curriculum at Quantico.
Before being accepted for agent training, the employee had a distinguished career as a support specialist and had even served as a diversity and inclusion coordinator for the bureau. Sources state he was previously honored by Attorney General Merrick Garland for his professional contributions. The lawsuit argues that the flag was a personal item in his workspace and that his firing violates federal anti-discrimination laws. It contends that the stated reason for his firing was a pretext for illegal discrimination.
Critics and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have framed the incident as emblematic of a broader effort to sideline specific personnel from federal service. Details of the employee's long service and prior role have been highlighted by news organizations as evidence of his commitment to the bureau, contrasting sharply with the abruptness of his dismissal. The FBI has not yet issued a public statement on the pending litigation, but the case shines a spotlight on the agency's personnel policies and the director's actions. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and potential reinstatement.
