Two senior FBI counterterrorism agents removed over Katie Miller investigation handling

The FBI has removed and reassigned Michael Burgwald, the special agent in charge of counterterrorism at the Washington Field Office, and his deputy, Courtland Rae. The decision followed their determination that harassing phone calls to Katie Miller, wife of White House adviser Stephen Miller, did not warrant a federal investigation. While the White House and FBI executives state the decision was made unilaterally by FBI leadership due to 'stifling investigations,' the move has sparked concerns of political motivation among rank-and-file employees.

Reassignment of Burgwald and Rae

• ▪Darren Cox, the senior executive overseeing the FBI's Washington office, confirmed the reassignments of Michael Burgwald and Courtland Rae were based solely on mission needs, denying the removal order came from FBI Director Kash Patel
• ▪The FBI removed and reassigned Michael Burgwald, special agent in charge of counterterrorism at the Washington Field Office, and his deputy, Courtland Rae

Dispute over the Katie Miller investigation

• ▪FBI leadership disagreed with the Washington Field Office's decision to close an inquiry into harassing phone calls received by conservative podcaster Katie Miller, wife of White House adviser Stephen Miller, leading to Michael Burgwald and Courtland Rae's removal
• ▪Allegedly harassing phone calls received by conservative podcaster Katie Miller came from unknown individuals, according to sources familiar with the matter
• ▪The FBI Washington Field Office team determined that allegedly harassing phone calls received by Katie Miller did not meet the threshold for an investigation and had no terrorism nexus

Security concerns of Stephen and Katie Miller

• ▪In 2025, Stephen and Katie Miller reportedly grew irate with FBI officials over career agents' pushback against using bureau resources to investigate critical paper flyers posted in their neighborhood
• ▪Following personal incidents involving alleged harassing calls to Katie Miller that they viewed as threatening, Stephen and Katie Miller moved into military housing, according to sources familiar with the matter

Ousted FBI employees

• ▪Many career FBI employees forced out under FBI Director Kash Patel have filed lawsuits seeking reinstatement
• ▪Since taking office in 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel has fired, demoted, or forced into retirement numerous career employees who handled past investigations into Donald Trump and his allies

Debatable claims

• ▪The removal of the two FBI counterterrorism agents was justified
• ▪The FBI Washington Field Office reassigned the agents independently of political pressure
• ▪The harassing calls to Katie Miller warranted an FBI counterterrorism investigation
• ▪Kash Patel's personnel changes at the FBI are politically motivated