Former FBI Official David Sundberg to Run for Congress in Maryland

Sundberg, ousted under Trump, aims to hold the former president accountable and uphold the rule of law.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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David Sundberg, a former senior FBI official who was forced out by the Trump administration in 2025, has announced his candidacy for Congress in Maryland's 5th District. Sundberg, who oversaw the FBI's Washington Field Office, says he is running to hold President Trump accountable and protect the independence of federal law enforcement agencies.

Why it matters

Sundberg's candidacy adds to a growing number of former federal law enforcement officials who have left government and are now running for office, using their experiences clashing with the Trump administration as a key part of their campaigns. His bid also highlights ongoing concerns about the politicization of federal agencies under the previous administration.

The details

Sundberg, 56, was pushed out of the FBI in January 2025, days after Trump was sworn in for his second term, along with seven other senior leaders. In an interview, Sundberg said he decided to run for Congress as he grew dismayed at how Trump was directing the FBI and Justice Department to investigate and prosecute his perceived political enemies. During his time at the FBI, Sundberg oversaw two squads assisting the special counsel investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents.

  • Sundberg took over the Washington Field Office in January 2023.
  • Sundberg and seven other senior FBI leaders were forced to resign in January 2025, days after Trump's second inauguration.

The players

David Sundberg

A former senior FBI official who oversaw the FBI's Washington Field Office from January 2023 until January 2025, when the Trump administration forced him and seven other senior leaders to resign.

Donald Trump

The former president who directed the FBI and Justice Department to investigate and prosecute his perceived political enemies, leading to the ouster of Sundberg and other senior officials.

Jack Smith

The special counsel who twice indicted Trump, with investigations that were overseen by Sundberg's FBI squads.

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What they’re saying

“I'm running to uphold the oath I took at the beginning of my career — an oath that didn't change when the Trump administration forced me out of the federal government. During that career, I worked to ensure that no one was above the law. And over the last year, we've seen some terrible abuses against the people of the United States.”

— David Sundberg (The New York Times)

What’s next

Sundberg will face a steep challenge in the Democratic primary for Maryland's 5th District, which has been represented since 1981 by Rep. Steny Hoyer, a longtime party leader who is retiring.

The takeaway

Sundberg's candidacy reflects a growing trend of former federal law enforcement officials running for office and using their clashes with the Trump administration as a key part of their campaigns. His bid highlights ongoing concerns about the politicization of federal agencies under the previous administration and the importance of upholding the independence of law enforcement.