FBI in chaos amid firings, forced retirements and polygraph tests: NYT

According to interviews with former and current FBI officials, Donald Trump's handpicked new Director Kash Patel has been an agent of chaos since taking over with firings, forced retirements and the threat of polygraphs causing an exodus of experience.

According to a report from the New York Times, Patel, a close associate of the president, has made good on his promise in his book “Government Gangsters" where he wrote, "The F.B.I. has become so thoroughly compromised that it will remain a threat to the people unless drastic measures are taken."

What has ensued has been a wave of firings, agents being reassigned without rhyme or reason, other agents put on leave with no reason given and threats to either accept a transfer or retire.

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The report notes, "Taken together, the moves are causing worrisome upheaval at the F.B.I., eliciting fear and uncertainty as Mr. Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, quickly restock senior ranks with agents and turn the agency’s attention to immigration," adding the moves so far have "left employees to wonder whether they, too, will be ousted, either because they worked on an investigation vilified by Trump supporters or had ties to the previous administration."

The Times is reporting that Patel is liberally using polygraphs "to hunt down the sources of news leaks," including those who are questioning his leadership.

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Of note, the report states, "Mr. Patel and Mr. Bongino have sent a clear message on previous F.B.I. investigations that focused on Mr. Trump or his allies. In essence, former officials said, nobody is above the law except Mr. Trump."

As for the amount of upheaval at the agency, the flood of departures has resulted in the bureau’s web page detailing the agency’s leadership roles being left in "disarray," with the Times reporting "employees who have left still listed as working there."

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