FBI Reassigns Counterterrorism Supervisors After Dispute Over Miller Harassment Inquiry
Two senior FBI counterterrorism officials in Washington were removed from their roles after questioning an investigation into alleged harassing calls to Katie Miller, the wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. The FBI confirmed the demotions on Saturday. Sources said the request was unusual and that Miller and Patel were unhappy with the officials’ concerns.
The FBI confirmed Saturday that Michael Burgwald, who led counterterrorism in its Washington field office, and deputy Courtland Rae were removed from their posts. Both brought extensive national security backgrounds: Burgwald graduated from West Point and received recognition for a 2016 counterterrorism case, while Rae contributed to the Boston Marathon bombing investigation. Each also worked on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack inquiry.
People familiar with the matter said the reassignment followed objections from the two officials about an investigation into alleged harassing calls to Katie Miller, wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. A former FBI official briefed on the issue characterized such calls as far outside terrorism unless connected to an actual terrorist. Sources said Miller and Patel were displeased after the officials raised legality and legitimacy concerns.
Count words: First para: The(1) FBI2 confirmed3 Saturday4 that5 Michael6 Burgwald7 who8 led9 counterterrorism10 in11 its12 Washington13 field14 office15 and16 deputy17 Courtland18 Rae19 were20 removed21 from22 their23 posts24. Both25 brought26 extensive27 national28 security29 backgrounds30: Burgwald31 graduated32 from33 West34 Point35 and36 received37 recognition38 for39 a40 2016 41 counterterrorism42 case43, while44 Rae45 contributed46 to47 the48 Boston49 Marathon50 bombing51 investigation52. Each53 also54 worked55 on56 the57 Jan.58 6,59 2021,60 Capitol61 attack62 inquiry63. =63. Sec
... No extra. Need maybe no markdown? Plain text. Good. Check expanded total under 120. Let's final. Ensure no source phrasing copied. "FBI confirmed Saturday" maybe source phrase? It says FBI on Saturday confirmed demotions. Could be okay but "never copying source phrasing" means avoid exact. We can say "The bureau acknowledged the moves on Saturday." Better. "Michael Burgwald, its Washington field office counterterrorism chief" source says special agent in charge of counterterrorism in FBI's Washington field office. Good. "deputy Courtland Rae" okay. "deep national security experience" source phrase "deep national security experience" exact. Change to "extensive national security backgrounds." "West Point graduate recognized for a 2016 counterterrorism case" source "West Point graduate who won an award for his role in a counterterrorism case in 2016." Good. "worked the Boston Marathon bombing" source "worked on Boston Marathon bombing case." Good. "Both also investigated Jan. 6..."