The FBI has fired a special agent who previously oversaw investigations into former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to sources, marking another apparent casualty in the Trump administration’s retribution push against the bureau. Aaron Tapp, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio office, was terminated from his position, as he had helped manage public corruption cases that included probes central to former special counsel Jack Smith’s inquiry into Trump.
Tapp served as deputy assistant director of the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI headquarters, where for a time he had oversight of investigations into Trump’s actions following the 2020 presidential election. One of these probes, known as “Arctic Frost,” focused on the fake electors scheme, in which Trump allies sought to have Trump electors counted as electoral college votes from states that Joe Biden won. This investigation became part of Smith’s broader examination of attempts to subvert the election results.
In recent weeks, Republicans have released FBI records detailing the Arctic Frost investigation and accused Smith and FBI leaders of political motives in using grand jury subpoenas to obtain phone records of nine GOP lawmakers. The records, obtained in 2023, covered four days surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, though the FBI did not access the contents of the calls. Smith has denied any political bias, stating that the subpoenas were routine investigative tools employed in the course of lawful inquiries.
Tapp has been with the FBI for more than 20 years, according to his biography on the agency’s website. His firing adds to a series of high-level departures that began in August, when other senior officials were summarily dismissed. Those former officials, including Brian Driscoll, who served as acting FBI director at the start of the second Trump administration, have filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful termination.
The lawsuit, which spans 68 pages, provides firsthand accounts from top FBI officials of the tumultuous early weeks of Trump’s second term. It claims that FBI Director Kash Patel has politicized the bureau to protect his own position, despite earlier assurances during Senate confirmation hearings that there would be no political retribution. The complaint alleges that Patel and other officials prioritized social media pressure from MAGA loyalists over the agency’s mission to protect the American people.
These developments underscore ongoing tensions within the FBI regarding its independence and ability to conduct impartial investigations, particularly in politically sensitive cases. The purges have raised concerns about morale among agents and the potential impact on the bureau’s operational effectiveness. Legal experts note that the lawsuits could lead to prolonged court battles, further straining the FBI’s resources and public image.
Looking ahead, the firings may influence how the FBI handles future high-profile investigations, with implications for national security and the rule of law. The administration’s actions could also affect congressional oversight and public trust in federal law enforcement agencies. As the legal proceedings unfold, they will likely shed more light on the extent of political influence within the bureau and its consequences for democratic institutions.