The appointment of Kash Patel as head of the FBI has sparked significant discussion, particularly among political commentators and journalists. Some people view him as a dangerous figure—an ally to former President Donald Trump—who may leverage his position to target political adversaries, much like former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover did. Democrats are concerned that Patel will exploit the FBI to intimidate or retaliate against political rivals, while Republicans argue that he represents a needed counterforce against what they perceive as a “deep state” that has obstructed Trump’s agenda. In this polarized context, author John Kiriakou presents a controversial perspective suggesting that Patel’s controversial tactics may be just what the FBI needs, advocating for a significant overhaul of the agency.
Despite acknowledging Patel’s questionable moral compass, Kiriakou argues that the FBI has a more significant and longstanding issue as a historical perpetrator of injustices. He references former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly’s comments about Patel’s eagerness to investigate political figures, particularly Liz Cheney due to her role in the January 6 Committee, and claims that any legal actions against her would be baseless and politically motivated. Kiriakou emphasizes that the FBI’s past invocations of authority to investigate and surveil individuals for their political beliefs and activism, often without legal grounds, constitute a more profound betrayal of public trust than any individual investigation led by Patel.
The narrative deepens as Kiriakou recounts appalling historical examples of FBI overreach, such as the infamous COINTELPRO initiative, which targeted civil rights activists, anti-war protestors, and various movements deemed “subversive.” He highlights how the organization has infiltrated and surveilled political movements, including targeting prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr. with harassment and intimidation tactics. Kiriakou also recalls the tragic story of Viola Liuzzo, a civil rights activist murdered by a member of the Ku Klux Klan, and how the FBI spread damaging falsehoods about her after her death, thus amplifying his condemnation of the bureau’s checkered legacy.
Adding fuel to his critique, Kiriakou draws on recent events, such as the Ruby Ridge incident in 1992, which showcased the FBI’s tendency toward excessive force and lack of accountability. He also reminds readers of the FBI’s contentious role during the 2016 election—highlighting both its investigations concerning Hillary Clinton and its involvement with the Trump campaign—pointing to a pattern of behavior marked by political entanglement rather than impartial law enforcement. He argues that these episodes exemplify an FBI that breeds mistrust, focusing on the institution’s failures rather than any individual appointment to its leadership.
The author expresses his personal experiences with the FBI, revealing a harrowing story where he faced charges stemming from his whistleblower role concerning the CIA’s torture program. Kiriakou’s narrative illuminates how the FBI can act as a political weapon rather than as a neutral investigative agency. He mentions receiving apologies from some FBI agents who later told him that their focus on him was politically motivated and driven by orders from above, further coloring his perception of the organization as compromised.
In closing, Kiriakou argues that Patel’s aggressive approach to leadership may disrupt the FBI’s entrenched norms and advocacy against its historical abuses. He suggests that the FBI is in dire need of an overhaul, even if it means resorting to drastic measures. Patel’s appointment, in this light, could catalyze a much-needed dismantling of a “criminal organization” that Kiriakou believes has consistently undermined the principles of American democracy. With the current political climate awash in tension and competing narratives, the call for Patel’s tough stance reflects a broader desire for accountability—albeit at the risk of further politicizing an already fraught agency.
