Former FBI analyst alleges Trump ordered investigation of anti-ICE protesters in California

In early 2025, the FBI opened preliminary investigations into anti-ICE protesters in Southern California, according to a whistleblower complaint by former FBI analyst Jill Fields. Fields alleged that President Donald Trump ordered FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate protesters seen in a TikTok video in Alhambra, California. The investigations were based solely on First Amendment-protected activity, which FBI policy prohibits. Fields raised concerns with superiors but was told the probes had to happen. She was later stripped of her team and resigned. The Justice Department dismissed the complaint as politically motivated.