A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by FBI agents seeking to block the Trump administration from obtaining the names of agents who investigated the January 6 Capitol riot. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, a Biden appointee, ruled that the Justice Department is not currently planning to disclose the agents’ identities, leaving the plaintiffs without grounds for their claims.

Judge Cobb acknowledged the fear and uncertainty agents faced when filing the case, especially as some former rioters—now pardoned—called for FBI agents to be doxxed. However, she concluded there’s no evidence that disclosure is imminent, and thus, the case could not proceed. Cobb added that the court allowed expedited discovery to confirm whether disclosure was likely, but found insufficient support for that concern.

The lawsuit came after eight senior FBI officers were fired, and Principal Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove requested a list of all agents involved in the January 6 investigations. Though Bove hasn’t denied that the list could be used for performance reviews or potential dismissals, he insisted no agent who acted ethically would face punishment.

Attorneys for the FBI Agents Association vowed to return to court if the government goes back on its assurances. They emphasized that the court recognized the dangers of exposing agents’ identities and trusted the administration’s word that it wouldn’t happen.

Meanwhile, the FBI made headlines for dismantling a major Chinese spy operation within the U.S., including arrests in four major cities. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated that Chinese agents were targeting U.S. military personnel and stealing defense secrets.

Since January 2025, the FBI has arrested 51 foreign intelligence operatives from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The bureau is currently handling nearly 5,000 active counterintelligence cases, reflecting escalating global espionage threats against the U.S.