FBI demotes Washington’s two top counterterrorism officials after dispute over Katie Miller threat inquiry

The FBI removed Michael Burgwald, head of counterterrorism at its Washington field office, and his deputy, Courtland Rae, from their leadership posts on Friday, Sept. 25. The fight was over an inquiry into alleged harassing calls to Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller. The objections. MS NOW reports that the two agents questioned whether a requested threat assessment (a formal FBI review of whether someone poses a danger) was legal or justified. That displeased Miller and FBI Director Kash Patel. The bureau's account. Darren Cox, who runs the Washington field office, said he made the decision and Patel did not order it. A White House statement accused the agents of blocking investigations into serious threats. Still open. The contents of the calls have not been made public, so readers cannot judge either the alleged threats or how the agents handled them.