FBI Washington Field Office Head David Sundberg Ousted
Sundberg's departure comes amid broader shake-up within the FBI's leadership during Trump's second term.
WASHINGTON — David Sundberg, the assistant director of the FBI Washington Field Office, was informed Thursday that he would be removed from his position, marking the latest development in a sweeping purge of top officials across the FBI. Two senior law enforcement sources confirmed that Sundberg, who has led the Washington office since December 2022, is preparing to leave the bureau.
Sundberg's ouster represents the highest-profile removal of a field agent so far during President Donald Trump's second term. He had been in charge of nearly 1,600 employees at the Washington Field Office, overseeing major investigations in the nation's capital and Northern Virginia. These cases included high-profile matters such as the investigation into Trump and the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot, which led to criminal charges against many involved in the attack.
Sundberg's role at the FBI was pivotal during the investigations that examined the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. His office also handled the probe into the placement of pipe bombs near both the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the riot, a case that remains unresolved. Sundberg had been appointed to lead the Washington office by FBI Director Christopher Wray, succeeding a prominent position within the bureau.
The news of Sundberg’s departure comes as part of a larger wave of changes within the FBI. Reports indicate that as many as eight senior executives at FBI headquarters have been told to resign or face dismissal, with new figures, including a Republican Capitol Hill staffer and an associate of Elon Musk, now stepping into leadership roles at the bureau.
This shake-up is part of a broader effort to reshape federal agencies, particularly within the Justice Department. Sundberg’s exit also follows the removal of top officials involved in key investigations into the Capitol riot, which had been central to the FBI’s work under Trump’s administration. Sundberg had previously served as the special agent in charge of the New Haven Field Office and managed tactical efforts during the January 2021 presidential inauguration.
While the Trump administration issued pardons to over 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol attack, it also dismantled several parts of the FBI’s efforts related to the insurrection. Notably, the administration closed the FBI’s Capitol Violence website, which had featured images of riot participants still wanted for questioning.
As the reshaping of the FBI’s leadership continues, questions remain about how these changes will impact ongoing investigations, including those surrounding the Capitol riot and other high-profile cases.