The FBI has placed analyst Brian Auten on leave after his name appeared on a list of alleged “deep state” actors in FBI Director Kash Patel’s book, “Government Gangsters.” Auten was also recommended for internal discipline by former FBI Director Christopher Wray in connection with the 2017 investigation into links between Donald Trump and the Russian government. However, a Justice Department inspector general review found no evidence of political bias in the investigation.
Patel accused Auten of downplaying information found on Hunter Biden’s laptop and criticized the FBI for not firing him. Patel, who has his own ties to Trump’s 2016 campaign investigation, disputed that the list in his book is an enemies list. Auten’s placement on leave is part of a pattern of the Trump administration targeting FBI officials involved in investigations of Trump or the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
In the months leading up to Auten’s suspension, the Trump administration forced out several FBI executives and field office heads, citing their roles in the Jan. 6 prosecutions. The head of the FBI’s New York field office was also ousted after urging employees to “dig in” following the January firings. Auten’s suspension is just the latest in a series of moves targeting FBI officials who were involved in investigations deemed unfavorable by the Trump administration.
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