Overview
- David M. Maltinsky, a 16-year FBI employee, filed an 18-page lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on November 19 seeking reinstatement and back pay.
- He says he was summarily dismissed on October 1, 2025, after completing 16 of 19 weeks at the FBI Academy, based on a termination letter signed by Director Kash Patel citing an inappropriate display of political signage.
- The suit states the only item displayed was a Progress Pride flag that had flown at the Wilshire Federal Building in 2021 and was later given to him, which he says was permitted by supervisors.
- Arguing the stated reason was pretextual, the filing notes other imagery such as Blue Line and Gadsden flags and Punisher symbols has been allowed at workstations, and it claims violations of the First and Fifth Amendments.
- The defendants include the FBI, Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the Justice Department, and the FBI declined to comment as Maltinsky reports a chilling effect with colleagues removing Pride displays.