The FBI is facing a firestorm of criticism from conservatives after promoting Steven Jensen, a key figure in the January 6 investigations, to lead the Washington Field Office. Critics say this move betrays President Trump’s promises to clean up the bureau and protect MAGA supporters from political targeting. Jensen, who once called January 6 protesters “terrorists,” now holds a powerful position under Director Kash Patel—a man many conservatives trusted to reform the FBI.
Jensen led the FBI’s aggressive crackdown on January 6 defendants, pushing agents to arrest and prosecute anyone linked to the Capitol protest. Former agents claim he ignored concerns about overreach, telling teams to “round them all up” regardless of evidence. His promotion shocks conservatives who expected Patel to purge the bureau of officials tied to the “witch hunt” against Trump supporters.
Kash Patel vowed to drain the FBI’s “swamp” by moving 1,500 headquarters staff to crime-ridden cities and Alabama. But putting Jensen in charge of the D.C. office—the heart of the “deep state”—has left many questioning Patel’s loyalty to the MAGA agenda. Critics argue Jensen’s rise proves old-guard bureaucrats still control the bureau, despite Patel’s anti-establishment rhetoric.
Deputy Director Dan Bongino, a Trump ally and former Secret Service agent, added fuel to the fire by demanding a 20-agent security detail—unprecedented for his role. While Bongino claims he can’t explain “counterintuitive” FBI decisions publicly, his lavish protection detail contrasts with Patel’s promises to prioritize frontline crimefighting over D.C. bloat.
Pardoned January 6 protesters are furious, accusing Patel of “stabbing them in the back.” Richard Barnett, who famously put his feet on Nancy Pelosi’s desk, called Jensen’s promotion “sickening.” Others warned conservatives to stop trusting Patel and Bongino until they arrest “Democrat criminals” instead of rewarding “deep state” operatives.
Even some FBI insiders admit Jensen’s record is troubling. Whistleblowers say he weaponized the bureau against parents at school board meetings and pushed the “domestic terror” narrative about January 6. His defenders claim he’s a “by-the-book” agent, but critics argue his actions show contempt for constitutional rights.
Bongino’s cryptic social media posts urging MAGA to “trust the plan” have done little to calm fears. Many conservatives now worry Patel’s FBI is repeating the same abuses it promised to fix. The decision to promote a January 6 “warlord” undermines Trump’s mission to dismantle the administrative state and protect political dissent.
This controversy highlights the growing divide between Trump’s base and his appointees. While Patel and Bongino talk about reform, their actions suggest the “deep state” is still calling the shots. For MAGA voters, Jensen’s rise isn’t just a betrayal—it’s proof the fight for control of the FBI is far from over.
