A federal court agreement reached on Friday between the Justice Department and a group representing FBI agents will temporarily restrict the release of information identifying agents involved in the January 6th Capitol riot investigation. The Trump administration must now provide a two-day notice before releasing such information to parties outside of government agencies or the White House, allowing for potential legal challenges. This agreement offers a temporary reprieve for agents concerned about potential retaliation or public leaks of their identities.

The agreement stems from a lawsuit filed earlier this week by active FBI agents and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association against the Justice Department. The lawsuit aimed to prevent the release of any identifying information about agents involved in the January 6th investigations. The plaintiffs argued that releasing this information could endanger agents and their families, particularly given the recent pardons granted to some individuals convicted of crimes related to the Capitol riot.

Judge Jia Cobb, who presided over the case, had previously granted a temporary stay on the release of the information, expressing concerns about the potential risks to agents. The new agreement postpones the hearing for a preliminary injunction until March 27th. The lawsuit followed a request from the Justice Department for a list of agents involved in the January 6th investigations. The agents’ legal team argued that this request, initiated by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, could be a precursor to retaliatory actions against agents, including dismissals.

The Justice Department, however, maintains that the request for information was part of an internal review of the January 6th probe and not intended as a punitive measure. This assurance was also conveyed by Bove in an email to FBI personnel. The temporary agreement offers a degree of protection for the agents while the legal proceedings continue.