Isophoric News · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Former head of FBI's Chicago office sues Justice Department, FBI and U.S. attorney, saying he was forced out
Douglas DePodesta, who led the FBI's Chicago field office from 2024 until his resignation in 2026, sued the Justice Department, the FBI, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros in federal court in Chicago on Monday. His complaint alleges that Boutros blamed him for the collapse of the "Broadview Six" prosecution of protesters at an immigration facility, and that FBI superiors then told him the "political pressure" was "irresistible" and ordered him to resign. These are allegations in a complaint; no court has ruled on them. The complaint, which alleges defamation and violations of DePodesta's First and Fifth Amendment rights among nine counts, asks for reinstatement, back pay and damages. It alleges Boutros sent DePodesta emails demanding FBI investigations of people opposed to the Trump administration. Spokespeople for the Justice Department, Boutros and the FBI did not respond to the Guardian's inquiries. Separately on Monday, U.S. District Judge April Perry ordered Boutros and three assistant U.S. attorneys to testify on Nov. 16 in the Broadview Six case about whether false statements were made to the court, Fox News reported.
