FBI’s surveillance of Trump’s FBI Director nominee Kash Patel exposes a shocking abuse of power within the intelligence community.
At a Glance
- DOJ Inspector General’s report reveals FBI spied on Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director
- Surveillance targeted members of Congress, media, and congressional staffers
- FBI’s actions raise concerns about political bias and overreach in intelligence agencies
- Patel, who investigated DOJ and FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane probe, was among those targeted
FBI’s Covert Surveillance Exposed
In a startling revelation, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has uncovered that the FBI engaged in surveillance of Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee for FBI director. This bombshell disclosure has sent shockwaves through Washington, raising serious questions about the extent of intelligence agency overreach and potential political motivations behind their actions.
The OIG report details how the DOJ sought records through a “compulsory process” from members of Congress, media outlets, and congressional staffers. This invasive operation didn’t just target Patel; sources indicate that Democratic Representatives Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell were also swept up in this dragnet. The timing and scope of this surveillance campaign have sparked a firestorm of controversy, with many questioning whether the FBI has crossed a dangerous line in its intelligence-gathering activities.
Political Implications and Motivations
At the time of the surveillance, Kash Patel was serving as a staffer on the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee. His role in leading the investigation into the DOJ and FBI’s handling of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, which involved the now-discredited Steele Dossier, puts this surveillance in a particularly troubling light. It raises the specter of retaliatory action against those who dare to scrutinize the intelligence community’s conduct.
“As the Report sets out, the OIG found no indication in its review that the investigative steps of the career prosecutors in any of these cases were pursued for improper reasons or based on party affiliation or status,” the Department of Justice said in a statement.
While the DOJ claims no improper motives, the appearance of executive branch interference is undeniable. The fact that both Democratic and Republican staffers and members of Congress were targeted between September 2017 and March 2018 doesn’t mitigate the severity of this breach of trust. It only underscores the wide-ranging nature of the FBI’s overreach.
In response to these revelations, Kash Patel has taken decisive action. He’s sued former DOJ and FBI appointees, including then-FBI Director Christopher Wray, over a 2017 subpoena attempt for his personal email data. This legal challenge highlights the personal toll of such invasive surveillance and the determination to hold those responsible accountable.
Patel’s spokeswoman’s statement underscores the growing sentiment that the FBI needs significant reform.
