Brief
FBI demotes two counterterrorism leaders over decision not to probe calls to Katie Miller
The FBI removed Michael Burgwald and Courtland Rae from their Washington field office roles after they declined to investigate alleged threatening calls to the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Two senior FBI counterterrorism officers were demoted on Friday after a review concluded that alleged threatening phone calls to Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, did not meet the threshold for an FBI investigation. Michael Burgwald, head of the Washington Field Office’s counterterrorism division, and his deputy Courtland Rae were moved to bureau headquarters, sources told Bloomberg Law.
Both officials, who have years of national‑security experience and were involved in the January 6th investigation, had been questioned by the Washington field office about the legitimacy of the calls. The team determined the alleged threats did not connect to terrorism, a finding that angered FBI leadership. Darren Cox, assistant director‑in‑charge of the Washington field office, ordered their removal, stating the decision was a personnel matter made at the field‑office level.
White House spokesperson Lauren Bistold said the Miller family had never interacted with the demoted officials. “Senior leadership at the FBI determined they were stifling investigations into very serious threats and made a unilateral decision to remove them,” Bistold told The Independent. Cox added that FBI Director Kash Patel did not order the demotion, a claim that Patel has repeatedly made since taking office last year.
The incident follows a series of personnel changes at the FBI, including the firing or demotion of dozens of career employees who handled investigations into former President Trump and his allies. It also comes amid scrutiny of the bureau’s hiring and investigative practices, highlighted by recent policy changes and high‑profile subpoenas.
Key facts
- Michael Burgwald and Courtland Rae were demoted to bureau headquarters after a review of alleged calls to Katie Miller (independent.co.uk)
- The review found the calls did not meet the threshold for an FBI investigation or a terrorism link (independent.co.uk)
- Darren Cox ordered the removal, stating it was a personnel decision at the Washington field office level (independent.co.uk)
- FBI Director Kash Patel did not order the demotion, according to Cox (independent.co.uk)
- The Miller family has never interacted with the demoted officials (independent.co.uk)
Background
The FBI has recently faced criticism over its hiring policies and handling of investigations related to former President Trump. Earlier this month, the bureau defended a hiring policy change that removed automatic disqualification for applicants with a history of prostitution or bestiality, while a separate probe into former agents involved in the Mar‑a‑Lago search has led to subpoenas before a Florida grand jury.
Why it matters
The demotions highlight internal disagreements over the scope of FBI investigations and raise questions about the bureau’s leadership decisions under Director Kash Patel.
What happens next
No further actions have been announced by the FBI or the White House.
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “FBI leaders demoted after declining to investigate calls to Katie Miller”
