Kash Patel knows first hand was kind of abuse the FBI could hand out. In 2017 when the “Russia collusion” hoax was front and center, Patel was on the staff of the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee trying to learn how Hillary Clinton was involved. The FBI obtained sweeping warrants to monitor communications of 43 staff members and two Congress members to see who was behind leaks.
Uncovering a little of the FBI
Patel was one of those staffers high on the priority list. Paul Sperry of RealClearInvestigations wrote a piece in the New York Post. Patel wanted to see documents and witnesses regarding that FISA warrant.
Sperry noted,
“At the time, Patel was demanding to see FBI documents and depose FBI witnesses to find out if the bureau had abused its power in obtaining a FISA warrant to spy on Trump aide Carter Page. As chief counsel, Patel had no idea that the subject of his investigation — the FBI — was collecting his data and increasing the visibility of witnesses he was communicating with, including whistleblowers.”
Political meddling and in need of reform
It’s a reminder of how badly the agency needs new leadership. Patel is the man for the job as a vocal critic. In September 2022 he spoke about the “government gangsters”.
Trump had fired the disgraceful James Comey and now Christopher Wray is on his way out. Andrew McCabe was also a leader and card carrying member of the establishment that hated Trump. Wray was confirmed by the Senate to the FBI August of 2017.
FBI warrants issued
Curiously, surveillance warrants were issued for Patel as well as Democrats Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff a month later. Most of the warrants were renewed at least once. Some were renewed for as long as four years. Major companies like Apple and Google weren’t permitted to inform their customers of the government’s actions.
Patel didn’t know he was under court approved surveillance til 2022 when the government allowed Google to tell him. At the time Patel said, “They must be held accountable or they’ll only abuse their power again.”
