The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) sent a message to its members on Sunday about the 12-question survey sent to some of its employees asking about their work related to investigating the violent attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“We understand that this feels like agents and employees are being targeted, despite repeated assurances that ‘all FBI employees will be protected against political retribution,’” the message states. “Employees carrying out their duties to investigate allegations of criminal activity with integrity and within the rule of law should never be treated as those who have engaged in actual misconduct.”
The 12-question survey asks FBI employees to choose a response or responses that apply to each question by selecting from a menu of options provided in the survey.
One question in the survey permits an “other” response and provides a text box in which to respond. FBIAA is recommending responding agents include specific language in this text box indicating they are “required to respond” to the survey, they are responding to the best of their ability based on current knowledge “without being afforded appropriate time to research” answers or speak with counsel or representation and that they have not been advised of their rights in this matter.
Additionally, FBIAA recommends employees include language indicating that, “To the best of my ability and belief, I have performed my duties in accordance with the DIOG, federal statutes and the Constitution of the United States and the matters I worked on were properly predicated under DIOG and were opened and investigated at the direction of the Department of Justice.”
The FBIAA on its website describes its mission as advancing and safeguarding “the careers, economic interests, conditions of employment and welfare of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agents and retired FBI Agents.”
The seal of Federal Bureau of Investigation is seen on J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building in Washington July 12th, 2024.
Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The FBIAA message also notes that today marks the four-year anniversary of the line of duty deaths of two FBI Special Agents who were shot and killed while executing a search warrant in Florida.
“Adding insult to injury is that four years ago today, we lost two incredible FBI agents, Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger, doing the meaningful, yet dangerous work that our members do every day. We remember how dark and tragic that day was. Today, we continue to remember and honor them, their families, friends, and colleagues. While it is nearly impossible to block out the noise right now, we are reminded that like Dan and Laura, we do the jobs we do because it is a calling to protect and serve – and that we believe in protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution of the United States,” the message states.
The message closes with a sober, but measured tone about the uncertainty surrounding what these recent actions by the Trump Justice Department may mean for employees, stating, “We continue to hear rumors of dismissals/security revocations, or individuals who have been told to expect dismissals on Monday. Again, we have no confirmation of any such events. Please be cautious in sharing and spreading what could be misinformation. We do not need any more stress on those potentially impacted.”
On Friday, several sources told ABC New that the Trump administration is compiling a list of agents and other FBI officials from around the country who they believe should be fired or forced to resign in the coming days.
Firings were expected to begin as early as Friday, but a list was expected to be finalized on Monday, sources said.
The list of those who could be fired includes the heads of dozens of field offices across the country and could include scores of agents in the FBI’s Washington, D.C., Field Office alone, sources said.
An FBI spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News: “The FBI is declining to comment on any questions regarding FBI personnel matters. We have also instructed the public affairs officers in our field offices to decline to comment as well.”
The FBI is seeking feedback from its agents who were involved in the investigation of the January 6th Capitol riot. The agency recently sent out a survey to agents asking for their input on their level of involvement in the case, the resources and support they received, and any challenges they faced during the investigation.
This survey is part of the FBI’s effort to gather information on the handling of the high-profile case and to identify areas for improvement in future investigations. The agency is committed to ensuring that all agents are properly supported and equipped to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.
The FBI has not released any specific details about the survey or the responses it has received so far. However, this initiative demonstrates the agency’s dedication to learning from past experiences and continuously improving its investigative techniques.
Stay tuned for more updates on this story as more information becomes available.
Tags:
FBI agents, Jan. 6 case, survey, FBI involvement, law enforcement, Capitol riot, investigation, government, national security, federal agents, law enforcement survey, FBI investigation, Capitol breach.
The assistant director at the FBI’s New York field office reportedly told staff in an email that they were in the “middle of a battle” and that it was time for him to “dig in” as the Trump administration targets bureau officials who investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
“Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the FBI and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and FBI policy,” wrote James E Dennehy, who has led the New York field office since last September, in an email viewed and reported by the New York Times.
The email came after the justice department’s recent directive to the FBI to compile the names of bureau personnel involved in investigating the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol. The justice department also informed FBI leadership last week that eight senior executives at the bureau faced termination.
Since Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, at least nine high-ranking officials at the FBI have been forced out, according to the New York Times.
In his email to staff, Dennehy reportedly said that those removals had spread “fear and angst within the FBI ranks”.
He referred to those who had departed the bureau as “extraordinary individuals” adding: “I mourn the forced retirements.”
Dennehy also reportedly stated his commitment to supporting his staff, and urged them to remain calm and to avoid making hasty decisions regarding their careers.
He also reportedly made it clear that he had no intention of stepping down.
“Time for me to dig in,” he wrote.
Dennehy, who served as an officer in the US Marine Corps for seven years before joining the FBI as a special agent in 2002, reportedly also praised the two top acting officials at the FBI, Brian Driscoll and Robert Kissane, in the email for “fighting” for the agency’s employees.
Dennehy compared the current situation to his experience as a marine in the early 1990s. He recalled digging a small 5ft-deep foxhole where he hunkered down for safety.
“It sucked,” he wrote. “But it worked.”
The uncertainty and turmoil at the FBI comes as the last week, the justice department fired over a dozen federal prosecutors involved in the two criminal cases against Trump, reportedly at the direction of the White House.
The ongoing battle between the FBI and President Trump has reached new heights as the administration continues to purge officials from the agency. In a recent warning to staff, a top agent has cautioned against the growing tensions between the FBI and the White House.
The Trump administration’s efforts to remove key officials from the FBI have raised concerns about the politicization of the agency and the potential impact on its independence. The recent firing of FBI Director James Comey and the removal of Deputy Director Andrew McCabe have only added fuel to the fire.
Despite the challenges facing the agency, the FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the American people. The warning from the top agent serves as a reminder to staff to stay focused on their mission and not be swayed by political pressures.
As the battle between the FBI and President Trump continues to unfold, it is clear that the agency is facing a difficult road ahead. However, with a dedicated staff and a commitment to justice, the FBI remains resolute in its fight to uphold the values of the Constitution and the law.
Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll on Friday refused a Justice Department order that he assist in the firing of agents involved in Jan. 6 riot cases, pushing back so forcefully that some FBI officials feared he would be dismissed, multiple current and former FBI officials told NBC News.
The Justice Department ultimately did not dismiss Driscoll, the head of the bureau’s Newark field office who is temporarily serving as its acting director.
The Senate is currently considering whether Kash Patel, President Trump’s pick for FBI director, should be confirmed. A longtime critic of the bureau’s investigations of Trump and Jan. 6th rioters, Patel promised Senators at his confirmation hearing that no FBI officials would be retaliated against.
President-elect Donald Trump and Kash Patel, his pick to lead the FBI, during the Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., on Dec. 14, 2024. Doug Mills / The New York Times/Redux
“All FBI employees will be protected against political retribution,” Patel said under oath on Thursday.
Just over 24 hours later, Driscoll notified the FBI workforce that he had been ordered to remove eight senior FBI executives by Emil Bove, the acting Deputy Attorney General and Trump’s former personal defense lawyer.
Driscoll also said he had been told to turn over the names of every FBI employee involved in investigating Jan. 6 rioters.
Driscoll stated that the eight executives had been forced out but did not say whether he would turn over the broader list of Jan. 6-related FBI investigators — a list that he noted encompasses thousands of FBI employees, including him.
A former member of the FBI’s elite hostage rescue team, Driscoll promised agents that he would follow the law and existing FBI policies.
“As we’ve said since the moment we agreed to take on these roles, we are going to follow the law, follow FBI policy, and do what’s in the best interest of the workforce and the American people — always,” he wrote.
In a message that circulated widely among bureau personnel, an FBI agent summarized what happened as: “Bottom line — DOJ came over and wanted to fire a bunch of J6 agents. Driscoll is an absolute stud. Held his ground and told WH proxy, DOJ, to F— Off.”
The FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment. A senior FBI official disputed the accounts of the current and former officials saying, “It’s not true.”
A former FBI official who knows Driscoll well said, “He pushed back hard.”
Agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases targeted
It’s not known whether anyone other than the eight senior FBI executives have been separated from the bureau. One official familiar with the matter said that top Trump administration officials have made it clear that they want at least some of the FBI agents who pursued Jan. 6 cases to be fired, just as multiple DOJ prosecutors involved with the Jan. 6 prosecutions were fired.
The official said the Trump administration wants this to happen quickly but has been told by FBI officials that misconduct allegations at the bureau involve a formal review process.
The accounts of Driscoll’s actions shed new light on a chaotic series of events over the last 48 hours that began with the news that the Trump administration was seeking to purge the top ranks of the FBI’s career civil servants.
“Late this afternoon, I received a memo from the acting Deputy Attorney General notifying me that eight senior FBI executives are to be terminated by specific dates, unless these employees have retired beforehand,” Driscoll wrote. “I have been personally in touch with each of these impacted employees.”
He said in the memo that he had also been directed to provide the DOJ by noon on Tuesday a list of all FBI employees involved in Capitol riot cases, and also those involved in a case against a Hamas leader.
No one contacted by NBC News had a sense of the new administration’s interest in the Hamas case, but the focus on Jan. 6 was clear. The Trump administration apparently believes that all of the Jan. 6 cases should not have been brought.
Since it was the largest criminal investigation in U.S. history, thousands of FBI personnel were involved, as Driscoll acknowledged in his memo.
“We understand that this request encompasses thousands of employees across the country who have supported these investigative efforts,” he wrote. “I am one of those employees, as is acting Deputy Director (Rob) Kissane.”
FBI agents work the scene of a shooting at a Fourth of July parade on July 5, 2022, in Highland Park, Ill.Jim Vondruska / Getty Images
FBI agents encouraged
FBI agents were heartened by Driscoll’s memo, a source said, which many saw as an attempt by Driscoll to make the workforce and the public aware of what he was being asked to do.
“He was trying to do right by the workforce,” one person familiar with the thinking of agents told NBC News. “He’s putting it in writing and naming names.”
A separate DOJ memo obtained by NBC News identified the employees who were forced out.
The list included four top FBI managers: Robert Wells, who oversaw the national security branch; Ryan Young, of the intelligence branch; Robert Nordwall, of criminal and cyber response; Jackie Maguire, of science and technology. All of those people were eligible to retire and many of them did so.
The memo also identified two heads of field offices, Jeffrey Veltri in Miami and David Sundberg in Washington, D.C.
Also on the list was Dena Perkins, an acting section chief in the security division who was involved in a controversial disciplinary proceeding against a conservative FBI agent.
The list did not include Spencer Evans, the special agent in charge in Las Vegas, who sent a message to colleagues on Friday that he was being dismissed by FBI headquarters. “I was given no rationale for this decision, which, as you might imagine, has come as a shock.” It’s unclear whether he has now been given a reprieve.
Nor did the list include executive assistant director Arlene Gaylord, a 33-year FBI veteran who was not retirement-eligible and requested that she be allowed to work in another assignment until she did so. An FBI official familiar with the matter said she had been accommodated.
Experts say the firings are illegal
Legal experts said that few, if any, of the firings carried out so far by the Trump administration have been legal under civil service laws because the employees were not afforded due process.
The Trump White House argues, though, that the president has the absolute right to fire anyone he wishes in the executive branch. The Supreme Court has ruled that federal employees have a right to a hearing before they are disciplined or terminated.
Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney and NBC News legal contributor, called the firings illegal.
“Career federal employees can be fired for conduct or performance issues, not because they failed to demonstrate political loyalty to the current incumbent of the White House,” said Vance. “Trump ignored controlling law and regulations to do this, and unless the Supreme Court changes their interpretation, any firing of permanent members of the civil service should not stand.”
Even if some of the employees sue and win, they said their public service careers have been irreparably damaged, if not ended.
One of the Jan. 6 prosecutors fired on Friday told NBC News that they “did nothing wrong” and had no regrets about their work. The person, who asked not to named due to fear of retaliation, said it was discouraging to be fired after seeing Trump pardon violent rioters who attacked police officers.
“We’ve all been looking over our shoulders, like, ‘Is this the day that we’re gonna get fired?’ Because we were doing our jobs?” the fired prosecutor told NBC News. “We’ve been forced to dismiss all of the cases that we’ve been working on of all these people that were very violent offenders. It’s been awful.”
Current and former FBI agents say the purge at the bureau has had a shattering effect on the morale, sending a message that agents who work on cases that anger someone in the Trump administration could be targeted.
“Who right now would want to work on a case that would get them crosswise with the administration?” one former FBI official asked. “They will come after you.”
A senior FBI official has come forward to reveal that they forcefully resisted the Trump administration’s attempts to fire several high-ranking officials within the bureau. The official, who requested to remain anonymous, stated that they were appalled by the administration’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and the independence of the FBI.
According to the official, the Trump administration sought to remove key figures within the FBI who were actively investigating connections between the president’s campaign and Russia. The official described these firings as a blatant attempt to obstruct justice and undermine the integrity of the FBI.
Despite facing pressure from the administration to comply with these firings, the senior FBI official stood their ground and refused to participate in what they believed to be an unlawful and unethical act. Their courageous actions ultimately helped to protect the independence and integrity of the FBI during a time of intense political turmoil.
The revelation of this resistance highlights the ongoing challenges faced by government officials who are tasked with upholding the rule of law in the face of political interference. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the independence and integrity of law enforcement agencies in order to ensure accountability and justice for all.
Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee to be FBI director, is worth more than $5.9 million.
He made more than $2.6 million last year from consulting, paid speeches, and books.
His clients included Truth Social, one of Trump’s PACs, and the Embassy of Qatar.
Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made more than $2.6 million last year.
According to a financial disclosure obtained by Business Insider ahead of its public release, Patel’s income came from a mix of consulting work, paid speeches, media appearances, and the proceeds from several books.
His total net worth is more than $5.9 million, according to a document filed with the Senate Judiciary Committee. All of Trump’s nominees are required to file public financial disclosure reports as they are considered by the Senate.
The bulk of Patel’s income, more than $2.1 million, came from consulting work. Trump Media and Technology Corp, the company that runs Truth Social, was among his clients. A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed Patel’s annual compensation was $120,000, though his contract ended in March 2024.
Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, has also been financially tied up with Truth Social, holding more than $3.9 million in stock in the company as of December.
Patel also listed Save America, Trump’s leadership PAC, as a client, along with the Embassy of Qatar and several other organizations.
He earned $306,000 last year from a series of paid speeches and media appearances, including $99,000 as a contributor to the Epoch Times and $20,000 for a May 2024 interview on “Our Watch With Tim Thompson.”
Writing books also proved to be lucrative for Patel. He earned between $100,000 and $1 million in royalties for his 2023 book, “Government Gangsters,” and between $45,000 and $150,000 for his “The Plot Against the King” children’s book series.
He also owns Elite Depot, a “fashion management company” based in the Cayman Islands, which is worth between $1 million and $5 million. A spokesperson for Patel did not immediately return a request for comment regarding the organization’s purpose.
Patel’s assets also include up to $100,000 in bitcoin, up to $250,000 in Nvidia stock, and up to $100,000 in Palantir stock. In 2024, he earned $8,000 in director’s fees from VK Integrated Systems, a weapons company.
Patel is among Trump’s most controversial nominees, owing to questions about his conduct during Trump’s first term, his promotion of conspiracy theories, and his extreme rhetoric.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer identified Patel this week as a nominee that Democrats believe they may have a shot at defeating. His first confirmation hearing took place on Thursday.
Read Patel’s full financial disclosure below:
Former Trump administration official Kash Patel, who was recently appointed as the chief of staff to the new FBI director, reportedly earned more than $2.6 million last year, according to financial disclosure forms.
Patel, who previously served as a top aide to Rep. Devin Nunes and on the National Security Council under President Trump, disclosed earnings from multiple sources, including consulting work, speaking engagements, and investments.
Critics have raised concerns about Patel’s financial ties and potential conflicts of interest, especially given his new role at the FBI. Some have questioned whether Patel’s lucrative earnings could influence his decision-making and priorities at the bureau.
The appointment of Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist, has also sparked controversy among lawmakers and watchdog groups, who have called for greater transparency and oversight in the hiring process for key positions in the federal government.
As Patel settles into his new role at the FBI, the public will be closely watching to see how his financial interests and political allegiances may impact his work at the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
To say that Kash Patel admires President Trump would be an understatement — and Mr. Patel has seldom been accused of understatement.
His steep, swift ascent from unknown Republican congressional aide to a nominee for F.B.I. director in less than a decade owes much, if not all, to Mr. Patel’s relationship with the president, who rewarded his intense loyalty and perseverance with a succession of senior national security and defense posts during Mr. Trump’s first term.
It was the unflinching fealty he exhibited during Mr. Trump’s turbulent four years out of office that seems to have elevated Mr. Patel, 44, from a supporting player to a leading role (even if Mr. Trump recently quipped that he did not fit his own central-casting image of an F.B.I. director).
In nominating Mr. Patel, Mr. Trump called him a “brilliant lawyer” and an “America First fighter.”
Here’s how Mr. Patel described Mr. Trump at a conservative political conference last year: “We’re blessed by God to have Donald Trump be our juggernaut of justice, to be our leader, to be our continued warrior in the arena.”
Mr. Patel worked the outside game to prove himself to Mr. Trump. He made over 1,000 media appearances (and attended dozens of in-person events) in which he hammered Mr. Trump’s adversaries; wrote a now infamous book in which he singled out 60 perceived enemies for unspecified retribution; published a three-volume children’s series in which he portrayed Mr. Trump as a crowned monarch; and served as a high-volume surrogate on the 2024 campaign trail.
Mr. Patel, a Long Island native, also worked the inside game. He offered national security advice to Mr. Trump; stood by him during the grim days after the F.B.I. search of the president’s Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, in the summer of 2022; and maximized face time with Mr. Trump and his courtiers in West Palm Beach during the transition period.
But Mr. Trump’s attitude toward subordinates, even ones as enthusiastically supportive as Mr. Patel, tends to be a little diffident. Mr. Trump picked Mr. Patel after the only other serious candidate to lead the bureau, Missouri’s attorney general, Andrew Bailey, failed to impress during interviews, according to people familiar with the situation.
He has occasionally expressed doubts about Mr. Patel’s gravitas, as have many other Republicans — although they have refrained from saying so publicly for fear of incurring Mr. Trump’s wrath.
Mr. Patel has told Republican senators that he will remain independent, faithful to the law and the Constitution, and reform-focused if they back him. So far, it seems to have paid off, although he is walking a thin red line: People close to the nominee believe he has just barely enough votes in the Senate to secure his confirmation, provided his hearing before the Judiciary Committee on Thursday does not go off the rails.
It might. Democrats held their fire when Pam Bondi, Mr. Trump’s pick for attorney general, appeared before the committee, so they could unload on Mr. Patel, whom they have cast as an inexperienced, hyperpartisan Trump sycophant.
“He has neither the experience, the judgment, nor the temperament to head this critical agency,” Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said in a statement on the eve of Mr. Patel’s confirmation hearing.
“He has pledged his loyalty to President Trump and promised to weaponize the F.B.I. on President Trump’s behalf,” Mr. Durbin added.
In a highly anticipated confirmation hearing, Kash Patel, nominee for FBI Director, is set to face questioning from Senators on his qualifications and priorities for leading the nation’s top law enforcement agency. Follow along for live updates on Patel’s testimony and the Senators’ reactions. #KashPatel #FBI #ConfirmationHearing #LiveUpdates
Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, testifies Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The hearing is expected to begin Thursday, Jan. 30 at 9:30 a.m. EST. Watch live in the player above.
A loyal Trump supporter, Patel is a former public defender turned Justice Department prosecutor. He served in Trump’s first term as chief of staff to acting defense secretary Christopher Miller. In interviews, he has said he wants to reduce the size of the national intelligence community, and shut down the FBI’s headquarters in Washington. He’s also repeated the false narrative that Trump won the 2020 election.
Join us now to watch live as Kash Patel testifies at the Senate confirmation hearing for FBI director. Stay informed on this important hearing and witness Patel’s insights and qualifications firsthand. Don’t miss out on this crucial event – tune in now! #SenateHearing #FBI #KashPatel #ConfirmationHearing #LiveStream
President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, is expected to trade barbs with lawmakers in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
Patel, a former public defender, Department of Justice official and longtime Trump ally, will join the Senate committee at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, when lawmakers are anticipated to grill the nominee on plans detailed in his 2023 book to overhaul the FBI, his crusade against the “deep state” and his resume, as Democrats argue the nominee lacks the qualifications for the role.
The president and his allies, however, staunchly have defended Patel, with Senate Judiciary member Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., arguing that Democrats are “fearful” of Patel’s nomination and confirmation due to “what he’s going to reveal” to the general public.
“They are very fearful of Kash Patel, because Kash Patel knows what Adam Schiff and some of the others did with Russia collusion, and they know that he he knows – the dirt on them, if you will – and I think they’re fearful of what he’s going to do and what he’s going to reveal,” Blackburn said on Fox News on Sunday.
President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, is expected to trade barbs with lawmakers in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Patel, a New York native, worked as a public defender in Florida’s Miami-Dade after earning his law degree in 2005 from Pace University in New York City.
Patel’s national name recognition grew under the first Trump administration, when he worked as the national security advisor and senior counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence under the leadership of Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif. Patel became known as the man behind the “Nunes Memo” – a four-page document released in 2018 that revealed improper use of surveillance by the FBI and the Justice Department in the Russia investigation into Trump.
Patel was named senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council in 2019. In that role, he assisted the Trump White House in eliminating foreign terrorist leadership, such as ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019 and al Qaeda terrorist Qasim al-Raymi in 2020, according to his biography. His efforts ending terrorist threats under the Trump administration came after he won a DOJ award in 2017 for his prosecution and conviction of 12 terrorists responsible for the World Cup bombings in 2010 in Uganda under the Obama administration.
Following the 2020 election, Patel remained a steadfast ally of Trump’s, joining the 45th president during his trial in Manhattan in the spring of 2024, and echoing that the United States’ security and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, need to be overhauled.
Kash Patel worked as a public defender in Florida’s Miami-Dade after earning his law degree in 2005 from Pace University in New York City. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Patel underscored in his 2023 book, “Government Gangsters,” that “deep state” government employees have politicized and weaponized the law enforcement agency – and explicitly called for the revamp of the FBI in a chapter dubbed “Overhauling the FBI.”
“Things are bad. There’s no denying it,” he wrote in the book. “The FBI has gravely abused its power, threatening not only the rule of law, but the very foundations of self-government at the root of our democracy. But this isn’t the end of the story. Change is possible at the FBI and desperately needed.”
“The fact is we need a federal agency that investigates federal crimes, and that agency will always be at risk of having its powers abused,” he wrote, advocating the firing of “corrupt actors,” “aggressive” congressional oversight over the agency and the complete overhaul of special counsels.
Patel adds in his book: “Most importantly, we need to get the FBI the hell out of Washington, D.C. There is no reason for the nation’s law enforcement agency to be centralized in the swamp.”
Trump heralded the book as a “roadmap” to exposing bad actors in the federal government and said it is a “blueprint to help us take back the White House and remove these Gangsters from all of Government.”
Patel has spoken out against a number of high-profile investigations and issues he sees within the DOJ in the past few years. He slammed the department, for example, for allegedly burying evidence related to the identity of a suspect who allegedly planted pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties in Washington, D.C., a day ahead of Jan. 6, 2021.
Patel has also said Trump could release both the Jeffrey Epstein client list and Sean “Diddy” Combs party attendee lists, which could expose those allegedly involved in sex and human trafficking crimes.
Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin, Amy Klobuchar and Mazie Hirono, who sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee.(Getty Images)
Senate Democrats received an anonymous whistleblower report that was publicly reported Monday alleging Patel violated protocol during a hostage rescue mission in October 2020, an allegation Trump’s orbit has brushed off.
The whistleblower claimed that Patel leaked to the Wall Street Journal that two Americans and the remains of a third were being transferred to U.S. custody from Yemen, where they had been held hostage by Houthi rebels, before the hostages were actually in U.S. custody. Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, obtained the whistleblower report.
A transition official pushed back on the report in a statement to Fox News Digital on Tuesday, saying Patel has a “track record of success.”
“Mr. Patel was a public defender, decorated prosecutor, and accomplished national security official that kept Americans safe,” the official said. “He has a track record of success in every branch of government, from the courtroom to congressional hearing room to the situation room. There is no veracity to this anonymous source’s complaints about protocol.”
Kash Patel has spoken out against a number of high-profile investigations and issues he sees within the DOJ in the past few years.(Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Alexander Gray, who served as chief of staff for the White House National Security Council under Trump’s first administration, called the allegation “simply absurd.”
Patel’s nomination comes after six of Trump’s nominees were confirmed by the Senate, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth – who also was viewed as a nominee who faced an uphill confirmation battle.
The Senate schedule this week was packed with hearings besides Patel’s, with senators grilling Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday and also holding the hearing for Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to serve as director of national intelligence.
Kash Patel is a former public defender, Department of Justice official and longtime ally of President Donald Trump.(Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)
Patel heads into his hearing armed with a handful of high-profile endorsements, including the National Sheriffs’ Association and National Police Association.
Carl and Marsha Mueller, the parents of ISIS murder victim Kayla Mueller, also notably endorsed Patel, Fox News Digital exclusively reported on Tuesday. Patel helped oversee a military mission in 2019 that killed ISIS leader al-Baghdadi, who was believed to have repeatedly tortured and raped Kayla Mueller before her death in 2015.
Patel “loves his country. He loves the people of this country,” Marsha Mueller told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview via Zoom on Monday morning. “To us, you know, he is a person that we would go to for help. And he is so action oriented.”
“Just like Trump,” Carl Mueller added to his wife’s comments on Patel’s action-motivated personality.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
The upcoming Senate confirmation hearing for Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI director, is expected to be a fiery one as sparks are anticipated to fly during the proceedings.
Patel, a former aide to Rep. Devin Nunes and a key figure in the Trump administration’s efforts to discredit the Russia investigation, has faced criticism and controversy over his past actions and statements. His nomination has been met with skepticism and concern from both Democrats and some Republicans.
During the hearing, senators are expected to grill Patel on his role in the Russia investigation, his views on law enforcement and national security, and his plans for leading the FBI. With tensions running high and partisan divisions deepening, the confirmation hearing is likely to be a contentious and contentious affair.
As the spotlight shines on Patel and his qualifications to lead the nation’s premier law enforcement agency, all eyes will be on the Senate chamber to see if he can weather the storm and secure the votes needed to become the next FBI director. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as the drama unfolds.
One of the people on Kash Patel’s list of “corrupt actors” from the “deep state” is taking the drastic step of moving their family before Patel’s potential confirmation to lead the FBI.
The individual, granted anonymity to speak freely about security measures, decided to relocate in the coming weeks and is taking other steps to keep their new home purchase anonymous. They said they’re doing this because they are afraid Patel might weaponize the FBI against them or use his platform to inspire others to take action.
“After being doxed several years ago, we were tired of dealing with the constant anxiety of always needing to look over our shoulders,” the person told CNN. “Everyone deserves to have safety and security at home. Moving and taking precautions to keep our address anonymous will feel like a weight lifted.”
The list in question appears as an appendix at the end of Patel’s 2023 book, “Government Gangsters.” It names more than 50 current or former US officials that he claims are “members of the Executive Branch deep state,” which he describes as a “dangerous threat to democracy.”
Some of these people are now taking dramatic measures to protect themselves and their families, according to interviews with nearly a dozen people on Patel’s list or who fear they’ll be scrutinized by the Patel-run FBI. The list includes a blend of high-profile figures and lesser-known officials who might be more vulnerable if Patel pursues retribution.
“You’re referring to the glossary of a book,” Patel spokeswoman Erica Knight said of the list of names in Patel’s book. “Kash Patel will follow the Constitution and enforce the law to take criminals off of our streets, fight violent crime and put an end to the deadly fentanyl crisis. Any notion of ‘retribution’ is false and absurd.”
Nevertheless, another person on Patel’s list, who is a former US official, said they’ve spoken to former colleagues who worked in the federal government and also fear being targeted by the Trump administration and are considering moving their assets into their partner’s name and taking other steps to guard their financial accounts, in anticipation of lawsuits and legal harassment.
Most Republicans have closed ranks around Patel to support his nomination, despite his years-long embrace of pro-Trump “deep state” conspiracy theories, and his public vows to seek retribution against President Donald Trump’s perceived political enemies.
Congressional Democrats have repeatedly criticized Patel for what they call an “enemies list,” a label Trump allies have disputed. To the contrary, Trump has argued that going after some of these people is a key element of “ending the weaponization of the federal government,” because he believes these people wrongly targeted him during his first presidency.
At attorney general nominee Pam Bondi’s confirmation hearing earlier this month, Democratic lawmakers accused Patel of having an “enemies list” at least six times, and the topic is sure to come up again at his own hearing.
“Patel has even compiled an enemies list of ‘government gangsters’ to target,” Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said, later adding, “his enemies list, what he calls his government gangsters, this is what you expect of Stasi, this is what you expect of secret police.”
Bondi told lawmakers, “There will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice.” And at least one Democratic senator, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, said Patel assured him during a private meeting that he won’t go after Trump’s enemies.
‘Completely unacceptable and inappropriate’
Trump has already started his own efforts to exact retribution.
Within hours of taking office, the president signed an executive order revoking the security clearances of 51 former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter arguing that emails from Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop could be Russian-made disinformation. (The Justice Department under President Joe Biden later said the laptop was authentic.)
Trump also swiftly revoked the clearance of his former national security adviser John Bolton. And he removed the security detail of Bolton, who left the Trump White House in November 2019 and has received US Secret Service protection because of threats against him from Iran. Trump also terminated the security detail for Dr. Anthony Fauci, a target of Trump’s ire since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The existence of Patel’s “deep state” list — and the apparent green light from the commander-in-chief to seek retribution — has left many afraid with a range of emotions. Charles Kupperman, a former Trump national security adviser and Bolton ally, told CNN that Patel’s public list makes him unqualified to lead the FBI.
Bolton and Kupperman are both on the list at the end of Patel’s book.
“His professional experience does not meet the leadership, management, or character standards required. Open or veiled threats to those who do not support his confirmation is completely unacceptable and inappropriate,” Kupperman said.
Big names – and relative unknowns
Most of the people on Patel’s list of “corrupt” members of the “deep state are high-profile individuals who are expected Republican investigative targets, including Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
But the expansive list includes several lower-level civil servants, most of whom are now private citizens, who might not have the same security protections or legal resources available to them if the Trump administration decides to make them a target.
Many of the current and former officials on the list were connected to the Trump-Russia investigation stemming from the 2016 election. Others were one-time Trump loyalists who refused to do his bidding at the Justice Department or FBI. Some were civil servants who testified against Trump to Congress during his first impeachment.
Another individual on Patel’s list said, “I’m not concerned about Kash coming after me. He would get no bang out of it. And there are so many bigger fish to fry — whether on his list or others.”
The anticipation of Patel’s confirmation has caused a flurry of preventative actions from the subset of lesser-known people, and others who aren’t named on the list but expect to be targeted by the new Justice Department for their public opposition to Trump.
“Much of the list is going to be unreachable. So, who’s on the next tier? It’s folks in the good government community. People that did everything they could to hold Trump accountable,” including for the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, an individual who runs a nonprofit that led anti-Trump efforts in 2024 told CNN.
That nonprofit has retained outside lawyers for the first time to help prepare for potential criminal investigations and Congressional oversight from Trump’s GOP allies.
“It’s not cheap,” the person said.
The group is also trying to crack down on staffers texting and internal paper trails that might be problematic if they are subpoenaed and become public, by enforcing stricter guidelines to prevent people from being cavalier in emails and texts.
Before Biden left office, he took the unprecedented step of granting preemptive pardons to some of the people Trump has repeatedly threatened to prosecute and imprison.
The last-minute pardons were granted to, among other people, the Democratic and Republican lawmakers who served on the House select January 6 committee, “the staff of the select committee,” and the police officers who testified to the committee.
Before Biden’s preemptive pardons, many of the people involved in the now-defunct January 6 committee had received regular communications from friends and constituents urging them to take security precautions, with some even offering to pay for security details, one Democratic lawmaker familiar with the conversations told CNN.
Many former January 6 committee staffers, who also all received preemptive presidential pardons, had already obtained liability insurance while conducting their work, as CNN reported in 2023.
One key witness involved in the January 6 investigations, who was open to a pardon but did not receive one, criticized Biden for issuing such a narrow list that did not include several high-profile individuals who provided testimony as part of the probes.
“There are many of us who testified, who met with law enforcement, who went above and beyond to tell the truth. It’s quite disingenuous to narrow the target on the backs of this group. If you’re going to issue pardons, then really think about who you’re going to include on that list,” the former witness told CNN.
The former US official on Patel’s list said they have heard from friends at the FBI who have been updating their resumes after the election, in anticipation of mass purges based on who is perceived to be part of the “deep state.”
One of the top concerns in this specific cohort is how to ensure personal security.
In the past few years, there have been high-profile examples of individuals violently targeting prominent political figures, like the assassination attempts against Trump, a hammer attack against Nancy Pelosi’s husband and an attempt to kill conservative Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
“You have to be legitimately concerned about what isolated, random people, who think they are acting in concert with what Trump wants, will do,” the former official told CNN. “People hear what Trump says and then they act, thinking they’re doing what Trump wants.”
Some of the people who fear Patel’s role at the FBI feel more resigned about what’s to come and are strategically keeping a low profile in hopes that they stay off his radar.
“I have nowhere to go. There are many people who have nowhere to go,” said one source who was scrutinized by the Trump-era Justice Department during his first term.
CNN’s Zachary Cohen contributed to this report.
As rumors swirl about Kash Patel potentially taking over as the head of the FBI, individuals who have found themselves on his so-called ‘enemies list’ are not taking any chances. Reports have emerged of people going to drastic measures to ensure their safety and protection in case Patel assumes a position of power within the agency.
Some have reportedly hired private security detail, while others have gone as far as relocating to undisclosed locations or increasing security measures at their homes and workplaces. The fear of potential retribution or targeting by Patel, known for his aggressive tactics and loyalty to former President Trump, has prompted many to take these extreme precautions.
With concerns about Patel’s track record of targeting perceived adversaries and his close ties to powerful political figures, those who have found themselves in his crosshairs are not taking any chances. As the possibility of his leadership at the FBI looms, individuals are doing whatever it takes to protect themselves from potential repercussions.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and the lengths people are going to in order to safeguard themselves from the potential influence of Kash Patel.
Tags:
Kash Patel, enemies list, protection, FBI takeover, Kash Patel news, security measures, potential threats, government official, national security, political enemies, Kash Patel updates, FBI investigation, safety precautions
The return of FBI: International Season 4 sees the Fly Team pursuing Greg Csonka, the season’s central antagonist. A high-stakes manhunt in Paris tests their resolve.
Plot
Greg Csonka, the elusive villain of the season, flees to Paris. His actions since the season premiere have posed significant challenges for the Fly Team. Desperation leads him to reveal his location. The upcoming episode focuses on the group's pursuit as they attempt to bring Csonka to justice.
Csonka complicates matters further by kidnapping Andre. This leaves the team two members short as they navigate the mission. The team must adapt quickly, balancing the demands of their mission against the need to rescue their colleague.
Also Read : H5N1 bird flu outbreak in US witness a sharp rise in egg price, squeezing profit for restaurants
The midseason premiere continues to explore the personal arcs introduced in previous episodes. Wes navigates leadership responsibilities, Smitty revisits a significant connection from her past, and Tate takes on new duties. Tyler's impact on Wes and the team brings complexity to their dynamics. Meanwhile, Cameron Vo's fate remains uncertain.
What is the focus of the midseason premiere of FBI: International Season 4? The focus is on the Fly Team's mission to capture Greg Csonka in Paris and navigate challenges affecting team dynamics.
When will the midseason premiere air, and where can it be streamed? The episode airs on January 28 on CBS and can be streamed on Paramount+.
Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
[ad_2]
Attention all FBI: International fans! The wait is finally over as we gear up for the midseason premiere of Season 4. Get ready for more action, drama, and intrigue as our favorite team of international agents take on new challenges and threats.
The midseason premiere of FBI: International Season 4 is set to air on [insert release date]. You won't want to miss a minute of the heart-pounding action, so make sure to mark your calendars and set your reminders.
Wondering where you can catch all the excitement? FBI: International Season 4 is available to watch on [insert streaming platform or network]. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare for a thrilling ride.
As for the plot of the midseason premiere, expect to see our agents facing off against a dangerous new adversary as they race against the clock to prevent a catastrophic event. With high-stakes missions, complex cases, and personal drama unfolding, you won't want to miss a single moment.
So get ready for the return of FBI: International and join us as we dive back into the world of international espionage, intrigue, and justice. The countdown to the midseason premiere is on – don't miss out!
Tags:
fbi, fbi international, fbi international season 4, fbi international season 4 midseason premiere, fbi international season 4 release date, fbi international season 4 where to watch, fbi international season 4 plot, fbi international season 4 news, fbi international season 4 updates
#fbi #international #FBI #International #Season #Midseason #Premiere #Release #date #watch #plot
FBI returns tonight (Tuesday, January 28) on CBS at 8 p.m. ET!
The series follows the inner workings of the New York field office criminal division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as they fight to keep New York City and the country safe.
We’re taking a look at the main cast of the series to see who has the biggest following of the cast. They’re all super popular, and it’s interesting to see who the biggest stars of social media are!
With the success of the hit CBS show “FBI”, it’s no surprise that the cast members have gained a strong following among fans. From the dynamic duo of Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki to the charming Taylor Anthony Miller and the talented Alana De La Garza, each actor brings something special to the table.
Here is a ranking of the most popular ‘FBI’ cast members, based on their fan base and overall impact on the show:
1. Missy Peregrym
2. Zeeko Zaki
3. Alana De La Garza
4. Taylor Anthony Miller
5. James Chen
6. John Boyd
7. Shantel VanSanten
8. Vedette Lim
9. Roshawn Franklin
10. Lisette Olivera
Whether you’re a fan of action-packed crime dramas or just love a good mystery, these talented actors are sure to keep you entertained. Who is your favorite ‘FBI’ cast member? Let us know in the comments below!
Tags:
FBI cast members, Alana De La Garza, James Chen, John Boyd, Missy Peregrym, Roshawn Franklin, Shantel VanSanten, Taylor Anthony Miller, Vedette Lim, Zeeko Zaki, CBS, EG, evergreen, popularity, television, slideshow, Just Jared, celebrity news, gossip
