Two senior FBI counterterrorism agents have been demoted following an investigation into alleged harassing phone calls made to Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, according to multiple outlets.
The White House and the Department of Homeland Security said the two agents stifled the investigation into what DHS described as 'very serious threats,' according to Breitbart and Salon.
CNN, however, reported that the agents' team found no terrorism connection in its investigation of the calls, raising a discrepancy in how the case's findings were characterized.
The Independent described the demoted officials as veteran FBI counterterrorism leaders who had declined to investigate the harassing calls, while CNN reported the two senior agents were ousted over their handling of the probe.
How each side covered it
Left
- Salon and The Independent highlighted the agents' status as veteran FBI counterterrorism leaders.
- CNN reported the agents' team found no terrorism center linked to the calls, contrasting with White House claims.
- The Independent reported the agents had declined to investigate the harassing calls.
“Two senior FBI agents ousted over investigation into alleged harassing calls to wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller” — CNN
Center
- The Times of India reported the demotions of two FBI counterterrorism chiefs amid the probe into threats against Stephen Miller's wife.
“FBI demotes 2 counterterrorism chiefs amid probe into threats against Trump aide Stephen Miller's wife” — The Times of India
Right
- Breitbart cited DHS describing the calls to Katie Miller as 'very serious threats.'
- Breitbart reported the two agents were removed after 'stifling' the investigation, per DHS.
“DHS: Two FBI Agents Removed After 'Stifling' Investigation into 'Very Serious Threats' Made to Katie Miller” — Breitbart
Questions readers ask
What happened to the two FBI agents?
Two senior FBI counterterrorism agents were demoted or ousted after an investigation into harassing phone calls made to Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, according to multiple outlets.
Why were the agents demoted?
The White House and DHS said the two agents stifled the investigation into what officials called 'very serious threats' against Katie Miller, according to Breitbart and Salon. The Independent reported the agents had declined to investigate the harassing calls.
Did investigators find a terrorism link?
CNN reported that the agents' team found no terrorism center connected to the harassing calls, differing from the White House's characterization of the threats as very serious.
Who is Katie Miller?
Katie Miller is the wife of Stephen Miller, an adviser to President Trump, according to the reports.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningTwo senior FBI agents ousted over investigation into alleged harassing calls to wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller
- SalonLeft-leaning“Very serious threats”: FBI officials demoted after Katie Miller theats probe
- The IndependentLeft-leaningTwo veteran FBI counterterrorism leaders demoted after declining to investigate harassing phone calls to Katie Miller
- The Times of IndiaCenterFBI demotes 2 counterterrorism chiefs amid probe into threats against Trump aide Stephen Miller’s wife
- BreitbartRight-leaningDHS: Two FBI Agents Removed After ‘Stifling’ Investigation into ‘Very Serious Threats’ Made to Katie Miller