Conservative media outlet Breitbart is under fire for publishing the names of FBI agents involved in the raid on former President Donald Trump’s home. Breitbart on Friday published a version of the leaked Mar-a-Lago search warrant, including the names of a special agent and FBI supervisor. Both agents signed their names to receipts for property seized from Trump’s home, including boxes of classified documents allegedly containing nuclear secrets. A redacted version of the warrant, which omitted the agents’ names, was officially released hours later. Commentators soon took to Twitter to accuse Breitbart, an outlet previously run by former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, of doxxing—the practice of identifying or releasing personal information about a person, often with the goal of allowing targeted harassment. Some also accused Trump of leaking the warrant to Breitbart in hopes of targeting the agents. “[U.S. Attorney General Merrick] Garland called on Trump to release the warrant,” digital strategist Alan Rosenblatt tweeted. “Trump tried to outmaneuver Garland by issuing a warrant to Breitbart without redacting the names of FBI agents. That’s right, Trump made mistakes on FBI agents who issue a search warrant. Once again, Trump is inciting violence.” Garland called on Trump to release the warrant. Trump tried to outmaneuver Garland by subpoenaing Breitbart without redacting the names of FBI agents. That’s right, Trump made mistakes on FBI agents who issue a search warrant. Once again, Trump is inciting violence. — (((Alan Rosenblatt, PhD))) (@DrDigiPol) August 12, 2022 “It’s also worth noting that they released the names of the FBI agents, which serves no other purpose than opening them up to threats and harassment,” legal analyst and former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti tweeted. “Breitbart is also confused about what ‘SSA’ means. It refers to Special Supervisory Agent, an FBI supervisor.” It’s also worth noting that they released the names of the FBI agents, which serves no purpose other than opening them up to threats and harassment. Breitbart is also confused about what “SSA” means. Refers to the Supervisory Special Agent in Charge of the FBI. https://t.co/EifmjUlntM — Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) August 12, 2022 “Trump, through Breitbart, released an unredacted copy of the proof of ownership containing the names of FBI agents,” attorney Mark S. Zaid tweeted. “Based on his track record, this can only be interpreted as intended to cause grief to these Special Agents (one of whom I know) and their families and subject them to potential threats.” Trump, via Breitbart, released a copy of the unredacted proof of ownership containing names of FBI agents. Based on his track record, this can only be interpreted as intended to cause grief to these Special Agents (one of whom I know) and their families and subject them to potential threats. 😡 — Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) August 13, 2022 “From what I can tell, the court unsealed it — but before that happened, Trump himself leaked it to Breitbart,” author Tessa Dare tweeted. “But the leaked version had the NAMES of the FBI AGENTS, while the official kept those redactions to protect them and their families. A**hole.” “[Breitbart] Including the names of the individual FBI agents involved in the investigation,” Elephant Journal tweeted. “Court issued disclosure warrant deletes this sensitive information. The Trump team just put a target on the backs of agents and their families. That’s 100% the intention.” “[Breitbart] including the names of the individual FBI agents involved in the investigation. The court issued the release of the warrant deleting this sensitive information.” The Trump team just put a target on the backs of agents and their families. This is 100% the intention. — Elephant Journal 🌻(V) (@WaylonLewis & Friends) (@elephantjournal) August 13, 2022 “Trump’s social media platform sent out a push notification this afternoon on an article with an unredacted version of the search warrant that included the names of two FBI agents,” CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan tweeted. “The names of these agents are now being floated on pro-Trump social media and being abused.” Trump’s social media platform sent out a push warning this afternoon over an article with an unredacted version of the search warrant that included the names of two FBI agents. The names of these agents are now circulating on pro-Trump social media and being abused. — Donie O’Sullivan (@donie) August 12, 2022 “So… when Trump leaked the warrant docs to WSJ, Fox & Breitbart this afternoon, the names of the FBI agents who were moved were not released,” tweeted news anchor Ed Greenberger. “Anyone who thinks Trump cares about America or Americans is a fool.” So… when Trump leaked the warrant documents to the WSJ, Fox & Breitbart this afternoon, the names of the FBI agents who were moved were not redacted. Anyone who thinks Trump cares about America or Americans is a fool. — Ed Greenberger (@EdGreenberger) August 12, 2022 The FBI has received an increase in violent threats following conservative outrage over the raid on Trump’s home. FBI Director Christopher Wray denounced the threats, saying Wednesday that “violence against law enforcement is not the answer, no matter what someone is upset about.” Less than 24 hours before Trump’s warrant was leaked to Breitbart, an armed Trump supporter who had recently advocated the assassination of FBI agents online was shot and killed by police after allegedly trying to break into the FBI’s Cincinnati office. Ohio. Newsweek has reached out to Breitbart for comment.
