Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer has voiced her support for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s decision to halt official Pride Month celebrations this year, emphasizing that the directive is not an attack on the LGBTQ+ community but a move aimed at refocusing the agency’s resources and time.
In a recent interview, Coffindaffer explained that the internal email, reportedly sent by FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson, was part of a broader directive following the transition from the Biden administration to the Trump administration. The email, obtained by Fox News Digital, read, “I want to take the opportunity to make FBI leadership’s expectations clear: There should be no official FBI actions, events, or messaging regarding Pride Month.” The email clarified that while employees are free to participate in Pride-related activities in their personal capacity, they should not use FBI resources to do so.
Coffindaffer argued that the decision should not be seen as a rebuke of Pride Month or any other cultural observance. “So much money and energy go into banquets thrown for monthly events, such as Pride Month, Women’s History Month, and Black History Month,” she said. “Putting an end to these events will allow FBI agents to focus on their core mission, putting bad people in prison.”
She stressed that the policy is not exclusive to Pride Month but is expected to apply uniformly to all monthly heritage and awareness celebrations going forward.
The move has sparked debate online, with critics raising concerns about inclusivity in federal institutions. However, Coffindaffer maintained that the focus is operational, not ideological.
