Loyal supporters of former President Donald Trump, including many who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, are furious after FBI Director Kash Patel promoted an agent involved in investigating the Capitol riot. This move has sparked outrage among Trump’s most ardent followers.
Steven J. Jensen, a former chief of the FBI’s Domestic Terrorism Operations Section, has been promoted to lead the FBI’s Washington Field Office. This promotion has angered Trump supporters, especially those involved in the January 6 insurrection, including some of the 1,500 rioters who were pardoned by the president.
Richard Barnett, a convicted January 6 rioter who was sentenced to 54 months in prison, shared his frustration on social media.
“The anger and depression is hitting hard today,” Barnett, a self-described white nationalist, wrote on X on Monday. He accused Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino of “stabbing us in the back” by promoting Jensen, who he claims was one of their tormentors. Barnett expressed deep anger, saying that Jensen’s new role gives him “great power within the FBI.”
Kyle Seraphin, a former FBI agent who joined the “Suspendables” group after criticizing the January 6 investigations, also took to social media to slam Jensen. He called him a “true J6 insurrection believer” and a “January 6th hysteric,” underscoring the deep divide between the FBI and some of the former president’s most vocal supporters.
The FBI’s decision to elevate Jensen has clearly stirred up a wave of frustration from Trump’s base, many of whom feel betrayed by those they once trusted.
