The winds of change continue to sweep through the FBI under its new leadership.
Kash Patel, who took over as FBI Director on February 20, has made bold moves since stepping into the role—and one of the most talked-about is the suspension of FBI analyst Brian Auten.
Who Is Brian Auten and Why Was He Suspended?
Brian Auten, a longtime FBI analyst, found himself on administrative leave, according to reports first published by The New York Times.
The agency hasn’t publicly explained the decision, and true to form, the FBI declined to comment, citing its usual policy of staying silent on personnel matters.
Auten played a key role in several high-profile investigations, including the probe into Russian interference during the 2016 election and the investigation into Hunter Biden’s now-infamous laptop.
But his name became even more controversial when Patel mentioned him in his 2023 book, Government Gangsters.
Kash Patel’s Public Criticism of Auten
In his book, Patel didn’t hold back.
He included Auten on a list of about 60 people he labeled as part of the so-called “deep state”—a term used by Trump allies to describe bureaucrats they believe have worked to undermine the former president’s agenda.
Patel wrote that Auten should have been fired and prosecuted for his role in what he called the “Russia Gate conspiracy,” calling it a “national embarrassment” that he remained employed by the bureau.
Patel has long believed that the Russia investigation was a politically motivated hoax.
The Bigger Picture: Accusations, Loyalty, and Hunter Biden
Patel’s criticism of Auten wasn’t limited to the Russia investigation.
He also accused him of downplaying and discrediting damaging information found on Hunter Biden’s laptop, which first surfaced during Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.
According to Patel, Auten tried to dismiss the contents as false—even as others claimed it pointed to deeper issues involving the Biden family.
Patel’s Rough Road to the Top
Getting confirmed as FBI Director wasn’t easy for Patel.
During his Senate confirmation hearings, Democratic lawmakers grilled him about his loyalty to Trump and his statements about potentially shutting down the FBI’s headquarters.
A lot of the questioning centered around his “deep state” list, which many senators described as a political enemies list.
Patel pushed back on that narrative, calling it a complete mischaracterization.
“There will be no politicization at the FBI,” he promised during his testimony.
“There will be no retributive actions taken.”
Auten’s Disciplinary History
Some wonder if Auten’s suspension was politically motivated, especially given his history with Patel and the Russia investigation.
But it’s worth noting that Auten had already faced disciplinary action.
He was among several FBI personnel who were punished for missteps during the process of obtaining a secret surveillance warrant on a former Trump campaign adviser.
At one point, he was suspended for 30 days and eventually reassigned from the counterintelligence division.
Interestingly, a report from the Justice Department’s Inspector General concluded that the Russia probe itself was warranted and found no signs it was politically driven.
January 6 Fallout Sparks Backlash Over a New Appointment
While the suspension of Auten stirred one side of the political spectrum, another group—those aligned with the January 6 Capitol rioters—expressed outrage over Patel’s appointment of Steven Jensen as Assistant Director of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.
Jensen played a key role in identifying, arresting, and helping prosecute many of the January 6 participants.
He even referred to them as “terrorists,” which didn’t sit well with Trump supporters, especially those who had been pardoned by the former president.
The Anger from Trump Supporters
One of the most vocal critics was Richard Barnett, who was sentenced to over four years in prison for his actions on January 6 before receiving a pardon from Trump.
Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Barnett expressed feelings of betrayal. He accused Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino of promoting someone who had persecuted them.
“They actually promoted one of our tormenters,” Barnett wrote, referring to Jensen.
Others echoed similar sentiments, claiming Patel and Bongino owed the public an explanation.
Philip Anderson, another self-described January 6 survivor, didn’t hold back either.
“They betrayed us all,” he posted.
What Happens Next?
For now, questions remain. Was Auten’s suspension part of a broader reshuffling effort or something more personal?
Is Patel’s leadership style going to alienate some of his most vocal supporters?
And how will decisions like Jensen’s promotion shape the future of the FBI under this new regime?
Time will tell—but one thing’s clear: the FBI is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and not everyone is happy about it.