The FBI has placed an analyst, Brian Auten, on leave after his name was included in a list of alleged “deep state” actors in a book written by FBI Director Kash Patel. Auten was also recommended for internal discipline by former FBI Director Christopher Wray over mistakes made in the 2017 Russia investigation. However, a Justice Department review found no evidence of political bias in the investigation.
In Patel’s book, Auten was accused of being involved in a conspiracy regarding the Russia investigation and downplaying information found on Hunter Biden’s laptop. Patel, who has his own links to the 2017 investigation, has disputed that the list in his book is an enemies list.
The move to place Auten on leave is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target FBI officials involved in prosecutions of Trump or the January 6th Capitol riots. Earlier, the administration had forced out senior executives and heads of FBI field offices, citing their roles in the January 6th prosecutions.
It remains unclear what reason the FBI gave for placing Auten on leave, and the agency has declined to comment on the matter. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between the FBI and the Trump administration over various investigations and prosecutions.
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