On Friday, the names of the two agents who signed the search warrant paperwork circulated online. The names had been included in a version of the search warrant that was leaked prior to the official unsealing of the documents. The version released by the court redacted the agents’ names.
Officials at the FBI headquarters division responsible for the security of personnel also have observed efforts by online actors to publicly post — also known as “doxxing” — the personal information of other bureau employees, including those involved in the search of Trump’s residence, a law enforcement source tells CNN.
Unlike other officers in the US intelligence community who operate undercover, the overwhelming majority of FBI employees operate in true name, the source noted, which makes those named in court filings pertaining to the search particularly vulnerable to nefarious online actors.
FBI Director Chris Wray addressed bureau employees’ safety in a memo distributed this week.
“Let me also assure you that your safety and security are my primary concern right now. Security Division is working across the agency as we continue to stay vigilant and adjust our security posture accordingly,” Wray said in the statement reviewed by CNN.
The FBI Security Division in Washington has notified the bureau’s more than 38,000 employees nationwide to remain vigilant when operating in and around bureau facilities, two federal law enforcement sources told CNN.
The FBI declined to comment on any specific threats against bureau employees but told CNN in a statement that the bureau “is always concerned about violence and threats of violence to law enforcement, including the men and women of the FBI.”
“We work closely with our law enforcement partners to assess and respond to such threats, which are reprehensible and dangerous,” the statement said. “As always, we would like to remind members of the public that if they observe anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement immediately.”
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
CNN’s Evan Perez and Shawna Mizelle contributed to this report.