politics

FBI fires analysts who worked on "Richmond memo" about Catholic extremist ideology, sources say

Updated on: June 5, 2026 / 6:01 PM EDT / CBS News

FBI fires analysts who worked on "Richmond memo" about Catholic extremist ideology, sources say

TL;DR

  • At least five FBI analysts involved in a withdrawn 2023 memo on "Radical Traditionalist Catholic" ideology have been fired.
  • The memo, originating from the FBI's Richmond field office, explored links between ethnically motivated violent extremists and radical Catholic views.
  • An internal investigation found no malicious intent but identified failures in proper standards and errors in professional judgment.
  • The FBI implemented corrective actions and admonished employees involved.
  • A separate Justice Department review found no evidence of directed linkages or discriminatory comments by the analysts.
  • President Trump's allies have criticized the memo as evidence of bias against Christians with conservative values.
  • The memo was featured in a report by the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias, created by a Trump executive order.
  • The report alleged the FBI wrongly monitored traditional Catholics without criminal misconduct and relied on the Southern Poverty Law Center.
  • The firings are part of a series of removals of FBI employees involved in matters opposed by the Trump administration.