The Justice Department is stepping up the heat on FBI agents who were involved in investigating the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot. Thousands of agents have been asked to complete a detailed form about their roles in the case, leading many to worry this could be the first step toward widespread firings.

This unusual move comes amid reports that the Trump-era DOJ is considering a broader shake-up within the FBI. Agents and their advocates are pushing back hard, with some even threatening legal action. One senior FBI official in New York has gone as far as telling his team he’s ready to “dig in” to protect them.

In a memo obtained by CNN, the FBI Agents Association urged members not to resign. “While we would never advise physical defiance, it’s crucial to make it clear that any removal isn’t voluntary,” the email stated. Meanwhile, lawyers representing agents and prosecutors have warned the DOJ that firing employees tied to Trump-related investigations would violate their due process rights.

“If you proceed with terminations or reveal the identities of those let go, we’re prepared to take legal action,” lawyers wrote in a letter to senior DOJ officials. They also highlighted the risks agents could face, including harassment or worse, if their names are made public.

This latest development follows the recent dismissal of more than a dozen officials involved in federal probes related to Trump. In a letter to those affected, acting Attorney General James McHenry claimed they couldn’t be trusted to implement Trump’s agenda.

The DOJ’s questionnaire asks FBI leaders to provide details about all current and former agents who worked on January 6 cases. Adding to the tension, Trump pardoned many individuals arrested for their roles in the Capitol riot during his presidency.

James Dennehy, head of the FBI’s New York field office, summed up the mood in an email to his team: “It’s time for me to dig in and stand with you.”

This brewing conflict underscores the ongoing fallout from the January 6 investigations and the growing unease within the FBI.