Overview
- The policy change was first reported by CBS on Aug. 28 and, according to reporting, was communicated internally in a June 16 memo that revised how some past conduct is evaluated for hires.
- The FBI has confirmed some adjustments and told reporters these are narrowly drawn exceptions used in individual reviews and that anyone with criminal sexual acts remains ineligible for employment.
- Reportedly, the guidance lets recruiters consider applicants who hired sex workers up to three times more than ten years ago, who stole from an employer more than three years ago, or who engaged in bestiality before age 18 or where the applicant was sexually abused as a child.
- Former agents and lawyers criticized the move as a likely response to recruiting shortfalls under Director Kash Patel and pointed to staffing losses, including more than 1,000 special-agent departures in 2025, as context for the change.
- Reporting cautioned that some details—especially specifics about bestiality exceptions—rely on limited sourcing, leaving open questions about how the guidance will be applied in practice and what effect it will have on hiring and public trust.