A former FBI agent says his refusal to carry out politically driven directives resulted in his dismissal. Zach Schoffstall, once a senior agent in the Salt Lake City Division, described a clash with his superiors over a 2022 investigation into the Patriot Front.
The group was arrested at a Pride event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where members were charged with conspiracy to riot. Schoffstall argued there was no evidence of violent plans and refused to execute a federal search warrant. He was later reassigned and dismissed in 2024, despite receiving positive performance reviews.
Schoffstall alleges that political and personal agendas influenced the case. He noted that it was reassigned to an FBI supervisor with connections to LGBTQ advocacy, and local officials involved had ties to the Pride event’s organizers.
He also criticized U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit for declining two hate crime cases he presented, one involving an alleged assault with racial slurs. Instead, Hurwit focused on events addressing hate crimes under the DOJ’s “United Against Hate” initiative.
The Patriot Front case concluded with minor penalties, including fines and short jail sentences. Schoffstall believes the administration sought to create the appearance of action against extremism without achieving substantive outcomes.
His claims highlight concerns about political influence in law enforcement. Critics argue that allowing political agendas to dictate investigations undermines the credibility and neutrality of federal agencies.
