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The FBI’s Washington Field Office has recently dissolved its public corruption unit, a team that played a role in various investigations, including those led by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
The decision to disband the unit is part of an internal restructuring aimed at reallocating resources within the agency. The public corruption squad was involved in probing allegations related to the mishandling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. These investigations culminated in federal charges against President Trump. However, the classified documents case was dismissed in July 2024 due to concerns about the appointment of the special counsel, and the election interference case was dropped in November 2024 following Trump’s re-election.
The Washington Field Office’s public corruption unit has historically handled cases involving misconduct by public officials. Its work has been considered integral to maintaining accountability within government institutions. The recent restructuring reflects the FBI’s ongoing efforts to adapt its organizational structure to current investigative priorities.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed in November 2022, led the investigations into Trump’s actions concerning the January 6 Capitol protest and the handling of government records. Smith’s tenure concluded in January 2025 when he submitted his final report and resigned from his position.
The dissolution of the public corruption unit marks a notable change within the FBI’s Washington Field Office. While the agency has not publicly detailed the reasons for this specific restructuring, such changes are part of the FBI’s broader strategy to align its resources with evolving investigative needs.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is folding its federal public corruption squad, the same unit which aided Jack Smith’s special counsel investigation into now-President Trump, sources familiar with the matter tell NBC News. https://t.co/5PfXONz2Bz
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 15, 2025
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