Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes

Episode: Too Crazy for Kash Patel! New FBI Conspiracy Theory Blows Up
Date: September 28, 2025
Hosts: Sam Stein (The Bulwark), Will Sommer (False Flag newsletter)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Bulwark Takes" dissects the latest right-wing conspiracy theory claiming the FBI was actively involved as agent provocateurs during the January 6th Capitol attack. The episode unpacks how these theories evolve, the key roles of media figures like John Solomon, the uneasy fact-check from Kash Patel, and Speaker Mike Johnson’s embrace—even as the fantasy is debunked by Trump’s own allies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rekindling of the FBI January 6th Conspiracy (00:30–02:03)

• Sam Stein and Will Sommer review the recent surge in right-wing media and political circles suggesting undercover FBI agents orchestrated violence on January 6th.
• Speaker Mike Johnson references supposed new information about "274 FBI agents" in the crowd, implying possible provocation or setup.
• Mike Johnson claims, "Did they spur on the crowd? Did they open the gates to allow them in? I don't know. These are questions, but they should be answered." — [01:10]

2. Origins and Evolution of the Theory (02:03–03:23)

• Will Sommer outlines that, almost immediately post-January 6th, Trump supporters sought alternative explanations, pinning responsibility on "agent provocateurs" like Ray Epps.
• The central narrative: plainclothes FBI "tricked Trump supporters into doing this."
• Will: "That was unfounded. And then there was just kind of this general idea… maybe doing the first punches or otherwise trying to trick Trump supporters." — [02:30]

3. John Solomon’s Role and Media Manipulation (03:03–04:41)

• John Solomon, a former mainstream journalist, publishes a story claiming newly disclosed documents prove that 270+ FBI agents were embedded in the January 6th crowd.
• Will highlights Solomon’s "sleight of hand" tactics: leading with explosive claims, quietly walking them back buried in the text.
  • Will Sommer: "He does this thing where he kind of… he does a sleight of hand… There’s a suggestion they’re agent provocateurs… but then Cash Patel has to come out and say, no, actually, these were FBI agents [for crowd control]." — [03:23]

4. Trump Amplifies, Kash Patel ‘Corrects’ the Record (04:43–06:12)

• Donald Trump seizes on Solomon’s story, attacking FBI Director Chris Wray and reviving threats to prosecute him.
• Kash Patel, closely tied to Trump, issues a statement clarifying these agents were tasked with "crowd control," not infiltration—carefully avoiding direct contradiction of Trump or explicit deployment of the "false flag" term.
  • Sam Stein: "Imagine being in Kash’s position… It must have been really difficult to figure out what the hell to do." — [05:19]

5. Cash Patel’s Pattern of Damage Control (06:12–07:15)

• Sommer notes this isn’t Patel’s first time mediating right-wing spin vs. factual record, referencing similar cases with FBI agents and the Epstein case.
  • Will Sommer: "I think we've seen Cash have to do this once or twice before… then he has to come out and say… this person is in good standing at the FBI." — [06:21]

6. Mike Johnson’s Spreading of Discredited Claims (07:15–08:39)

• The conversation shifts to Speaker Mike Johnson’s history; though not previously known as a "January 6th truther," he now entertains these baseless narratives on national TV.
• Stein and Sommer express concern about Johnson’s willingness to mislead, even when the facts have been publicly clarified by trusted Trump allies.
  • Sam: "And Mike Johnson couldn’t bring himself to just trust Cash Patel… It strikes me as really irresponsible." — [07:21]

7. John Solomon’s Reports Debunked by Their Own Sources (09:00–10:09)

• Sommer describes his amusement at finding "Easter eggs" in Solomon's stories: agent complaints supposedly about "wokeness" at the FBI were actually the opposite.
  • Will Sommer: "…as you might expect, it’s actually an agent saying, we were too pro, we’re too conservative. We were too trusting of Trump supporters. We didn’t think they would do this. So he’s completely twisted [the narrative]." — [09:50]
• Additionally, complaints cited as proof of bias actually reflect fringe views within the FBI itself.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Johnson (paraphrased by Sam Stein):
  "There's new information… Apparently there were 274 FBI agents in the crowd on January 6th." — [01:10]
• Will Sommer:
  "He [Solomon] does this thing where… you say, oh, okay, so, like, this is about, you know, these people being… agent provocateurs or somehow we’re up to no good. But in fact, as you said, Cash Patel then has to come out and say, well, no, actually, these were FBI agents." — [03:23]
• Sam Stein:
  "Imagine being in Cash’s position… it must have been really difficult to figure out what the hell to do." — [05:19]
• Will Sommer (on FBI complaints):
  "…as you might expect, it’s actually an agent saying, we were too pro, we're too conservative. We were too trusting of Trump supporters." — [09:50]
• Sam Stein (on Johnson’s irresponsibility):
  "And Mike Johnson couldn't bring himself to just trust Kash Patel… it strikes me as really irresponsible." — [07:21]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30 — Introduction to theory and Speaker Mike Johnson’s Fox News appearance
• 02:03 — Origins of claim: "agent provocateurs" and Ray Epps
• 03:03 — John Solomon’s article misrepresenting FBI documents
• 04:43 — Trump’s amplification & Kash Patel’s damage control
• 06:12 — Internal FBI perspectives & the pattern of Cash Patel’s corrections
• 07:15 — Examination of Mike Johnson’s role and media responsibility
• 09:00 — Will Sommer exposes John Solomon’s misleading reporting via original sources

Recap and Tone

The episode delivers a sharp, critical rundown of how debunked conspiracies are recycled at the highest political levels—sometimes spiraling so far that even the most loyal Trump operatives (like Kash Patel) must rebuke them. Sam Stein and Will Sommer blend exasperation and humor, clearly frustrated by political irresponsibility but motivated to expose the mechanics of misinformation.

In summary: The hosts demonstrate how a fringe conspiracy rapidly mainstreamed into congressional talking points, despite being too far-fetched even for the likes of Kash Patel. They highlight the ongoing danger of unserious leaders fueling national distrust for partisan gain.