FBI dismisses Homeland Security secretary's claims that called FBI corrupt

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI said on Friday that allegations made against its agents labeling them as corrupt are "unfounded" and "deeply irresponsible."

The comments by the FBI appear to be in response to a social media post made by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about a report by the Los Angeles Times that cited a leaked document on an immigration enforcement action in LA.

"The FBI is so corrupt. We will work with any and every agency to stop leaks and prosecute these crooked deep state agents to the fullest extent of the law," Noem said on Sunday.

Republican U.S. President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20, has long complained about the FBI and the Justice Department since the FBI raided his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 as part of an investigation into removal of official presidential records from the White House after his first term.

Trump faced two federal indictments, one for alleged mishandling of classified documents and another accusing him of attempting to subvert the results of the 2020 election. Both charges were dropped after Trump's 2024 election win. Trump denied wrongdoing in both cases.

"Making unfounded allegations calling FBI agents corrupt is deeply irresponsible and has not been supported by any evidence to date," the FBI said in a statement on Friday.

"Unless evidence of violations is presented, such comments undermine the men and women of the FBI. The FBI invites DHS to partner in determining the source of any leaked information and working together professionally to ensure the safety and security of ongoing immigration enforcement operations," it said.

Since taking office, Trump has embarked on a massive government makeover while firing and sidelining hundreds of civil servants and top officials at agencies, including the FBI, in his first steps toward downsizing the federal government and installing more loyalists.

Trump has picked Kash Patel, who has called for a radical reshaping of the nation's top law enforcement agency, to head the FBI. Patel's nomination has not yet been scheduled for full Senate debate and vote.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Diane Craft)