Bulwark Takes: MAGA Allies SLAM Kash Patel’s Failures at the FBI
Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Mike Feinberg (former FBI agent, Lawfare fellow)
Date: September 13, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode centers on widespread bipartisan criticism of Kash Patel’s leadership as FBI Director following a highly publicized assassination in Utah. Host Tim Miller interviews former FBI agent Mike Feinberg to unpack Patel's recent missteps, the systemic issues at the Bureau, and ramifications of internal shake-ups. Notably, even MAGA-aligned pundits and former supporters have turned on Patel, raising urgent questions about the stability, integrity, and effectiveness of the FBI under his tenure.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Mike Feinberg’s Background & Experience at FBI
Timestamps: [00:00–01:49]
- Feinberg recounts his forced resignation from the FBI after being linked (via Dan Bongino) to Peter Strzok, a known Trump critic.
- He highlights career impacts: lost promotions, looming demotion, and invasive polygraphs about his personal connections.
- Feinberg expresses still-raw heartbreak about leaving important China-focused counterintelligence work, noting the broader Bureau exodus under Patel and Bongino.
“As much as I love the fiction of Orwell and the films of Terry Gilliam, this was not something I wanted to put myself through.” — Mike Feinberg [00:35]
2. The Cost of Lost Expertise
Timestamps: [01:49–03:17]
- Tim Miller points out Feinberg’s critical China expertise as the kind of loss the FBI can’t afford.
- The discussion pivots to May Syed (“May”), a Pakistani-American counterterrorism specialist, ousted from a crucial Utah post.
- Feinberg vouches for May’s stellar reputation and unique skills, emphasizing the value of diversity and deep cultural knowledge in national security roles.
“She had language abilities that most FBI agents don't... She had experience in the culture because she had actually immigrated here from Pakistan, which I would suspect played a part in why she was ousted.” — Mike Feinberg [02:26]
3. Kash Patel’s Performance in Utah Crisis
Timestamps: [03:17–04:44]
- Discussion turns to recent criticism of Patel, specifically in the wake of the Utah assassination case.
- Miller admits discomfort critiquing FBI operational matters versus campaign strategy, but frames Patel’s performance as “objectively clownish.”
“It just seems like objectively though, he was clownish.” — Tim Miller [04:08]
4. Patel’s Unprofessional Crisis Leadership
Timestamps: [04:44–06:31]
- Feinberg dissects Patel’s errors:
- Mistaken tweets about suspect custody status.
- Breaking protocol by commenting on an active investigation.
- Failing to recuse himself despite a personal relationship with the victim (Charlie Kirk).
- Emphasizes that such behaviors undermine public trust and potentially compromise investigative integrity.
“The FBI is supposed to speak through indictments and complaints and arrests. It is not supposed to be opining mid investigation about ongoing matters...it taints the investigation.” — Mike Feinberg [05:25]
- Both joke about Patel's demeanor and appearance, noting how nonverbals (“always looks scared with his big eyes” and “the amount of hair gel he uses…”) don’t project confidence (light-hearted, but illustrating broader issues of perceived competence) [06:31–06:59].
5. Inappropriate Public Statements & Symbolism
Timestamps: [06:59–08:10]
- Patel concludes Utah presser with, “‘Rest now, brother. We have the watch and I’ll see you in Valhalla.’”
- Feinberg takes issue with invoking Valhalla, noting its warrior ethos contrasted with Patel’s own lack of risk-taking.
- Asserts this kind of performative symbolism is both “not appropriate” and reveals a disconnect from the realities of law enforcement sacrifice.
“Kash Patel has never risked his own livelihood or body for any other human being. And the chances of him ever making it into somewhere like Valhalla are probably pretty slim.” — Mike Feinberg [07:22]
6. MAGA & Conservative Allies Join the Backlash
Timestamps: [08:10–09:59]
- Miller reads damning criticism of Patel from key MAGA voices:
- Steve Bannon: “I don’t know why Kash flew out there...In the future, the public assumes you’re working together as partnerships. There’s certain assumptions when you walk to the microphone of information we don’t need.” [08:32]
- Chris Ruffo: “I think it’s time for Republicans to assess whether Kash Patel is the right man to run the FBI.”
- Kyle Seraphin: “Screw up moron. Most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen from an FBI director.”
- Joe Biggs (Proud Boys): Similar negative comments.
- Even dedicated Trump/MAGA loyalists see Patel’s performance as beyond the pale, suggesting loss of operational trust and political capital.
7. Internal Pushback & Wrongful Termination Lawsuit
Timestamps: [09:59–12:31]
- Three former high-level agents, including Brian Driscoll (acting director post-Chris Wray), sue for wrongful termination.
- Lawsuit details reveal refusal to fire subordinates who were targeted for political reasons; their subsequent firing demonstrates exacting political purges.
- Feinberg feels vindicated yet saddened: admiration for whistleblowers, but personal pain at his own leadership’s failure to show such integrity.
“Nothing but admiration for Steve Jensen and Brian Driscoll and Spencer Evans and just sort of a renewed distaste for how my own field office treated me.” — Mike Feinberg [11:45]
8. Scope of FBI Purge & Systemic Risks
Timestamps: [12:31–13:54]
- Based on patterns, any senior executive appointed by Chris Wray has likely been quietly ousted—often through forced retirements to mask the scale.
- Staggers the firings to minimize public attention and backlash.
- Net result is devastating: “loss of leadership, loss of subject matter expertise,” with consequences for U.S. security that outsiders don't yet fully grasp.
“I still even now don't think people outside the government realize how bad it actually is and how long it's going to take us to repair things if and when we get the chance.” — Mike Feinberg [13:41]
9. Operational Consequences: Domestic Terrorism Downplayed
Timestamps: [13:54–16:45]
- Core risk is deprioritizing domestic terrorism and political extremism: 20% of FBI workforce diverted to helping ICE with immigration, at expense of monitoring and combating extremist threats.
- Fewer resources for source development, investigations stall or slow; administrative burden increases.
- The recent Utah assassination and Minnesota church shooting both spotlight these vulnerabilities: lack of attention, insufficient social media monitoring, and critical resources redirected.
“If they instead are writing targeting packages for ICE to arrest grandmothers and children and deport them to third world countries, like, they're not able to do what was their previous mission...that opportunity cost is an increased likelihood, and now a realized likelihood of domestic terror attacks.” — Mike Feinberg [15:30]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Being Ousted:
“While I'm a little bit glib about it now, was and is still pretty heartbreaking for me to leave the organization.” — Mike Feinberg [01:30] -
On Public Comments & Recusal:
“Anybody who has the slightest experience in law enforcement would know that when that's the case, you should really be recusing yourself.” — Mike Feinberg [05:55] -
On Leadership Loss:
“I still even now don't think people outside the government realize how bad it actually is and how long it's going to take us to repair things if and when we get the chance.” — Mike Feinberg [13:41] -
On Patriotism & Sacrifice:
“Just going to point out Kash Patel has never risked his own livelihood or body for any other human being. And the chances of him ever making it into somewhere like Valhalla are probably pretty slim.” — Mike Feinberg [07:40] -
On Long-term Consequences:
“That opportunity cost is an increased likelihood, and now a realized likelihood of…domestic terror attacks.” — Mike Feinberg [16:44]
Key Segment Timestamps
- [00:00] Mike Feinberg’s FBI backstory
- [01:49] May Syed's ousting and FBI loss of expertise
- [04:44] Patel’s investigative mismanagement
- [06:59] “See you in Valhalla” and inappropriate symbolism
- [08:10] MAGA and conservative criticisms of Patel
- [09:50] Wrongful termination lawsuit
- [12:31] Systemic purges and loss of leadership
- [13:54] Prioritizing ICE over domestic terror
- [15:30] Why FBI can’t watch all terrorist chatter
- [16:45] Closing thoughts
Final Takeaway
This episode offers a revealing, unsparing look at the cascading consequences of politicizing federal law enforcement. The fallout from Patel’s tenure—marked by public gaffes, internal purges, and misplaced priorities—is drawing fire not just from traditional opponents but former MAGA allies, raising crucial questions about the FBI’s capacity to protect the nation in the face of mounting threats and missed warnings.