The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday ordered the transfer of 1,500 staff out of its Washington headquarters, two sources familiar with the orders told Reuters. Some 1,000 staff would be dispersed to field offices around the United States,

The message came as newly confirmed director Kash Patel told employees that bolstering field office personnel across the country was a top priority.

The FBI told managers that 1,500 personnel will be transferred from the headquarters near Washington headquarters to offices around the country, including around a third being placed in an Alabama office,

New FBI Director Kash Patel has told senior officials that he plans to relocate up to 1,000 employees from Washington to field offices around the country and move an additional 500 to a large bureau facility in Huntsville,

Patel will be responsible for two sprawling agencies at the Justice Department. ATF alone has 5,500 personnel.

The selection places two staunch Trump allies atop the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency at a time when Democrats are concerned that the president could seek to target his adversaries