Wray is out. Patel may be in. What's it mean for the FBI?

Summary

Consider This from NPR: Episode Summary

Title: Wray is out. Patel may be in. What's it mean for the FBI?
Release Date: December 12, 2024
Host: Ailsa Chang
Reporter: Lisa Hagan

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1. Christopher Wray’s Resignation and Legacy

Ailsa Chang opens the episode by highlighting the significance of FBI Director Christopher Wray's farewell speech. She likens writing a farewell speech to composing a personal eulogy, emphasizing its role in defining one’s legacy and the impact left behind.

Ailsa Chang [00:00]: "Writing a farewell speech is kind of like writing your own eulogy… it is worth paying attention to what FBI Director Christopher Wray told his employees… when he announced that he would resign at the end of the Biden administration."

Wray announced his resignation at the end of the Biden administration, marking the end of his tenure and opening discussions about the future direction of the FBI.

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2. President Trump’s Reaction to Wray’s Departure

Former President Donald Trump expressed a starkly different perspective on Wray’s departure. He hailed Wray's resignation as a positive development for America, framing it as the end of what he termed the "weaponization of the Justice Department."

Donald Trump [00:41]: "A great day for America. The end of the, quote, weaponization of the Justice Department."

Trump, who originally nominated Wray in 2017 following the dismissal of James Comey, had previously praised Wray’s commitment to the FBI’s core values.

Donald Trump [02:11]: "I have way, way, way too much respect and affection, frankly, for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that."

Despite his initial support, Trump later criticized Wray, particularly when the FBI pursued investigations into Russian election interference during his presidency and executed a search warrant at his Mar A Lago resort.

Donald Trump [02:51]: "He invaded my home. I'm suing the country over it. He invaded Mar A Lago. I'm very unhappy with the things he's done and crime is at an all-time high."

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3. Independence of the FBI Under Wray

Wray’s tenure was marked by his commitment to maintaining the FBI's independence, a critical aspect underscored during his confirmation hearings. The 10-year term for FBI Directors is designed to insulate them from presidential pressures, a principle Wray vowed to uphold.

Donald Trump [02:11]: "Anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI director sure doesn't know me very well."

However, Wray’s independent actions, such as continuing the Russia investigation and the Mar A Lago search, led to tensions with Trump, casting a spotlight on the agency’s autonomy.

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4. Cash Patel’s Nomination and Controversial Background

With Wray’s impending departure, Trump has nominated Cash Patel as the next FBI Director. Patel’s nomination has sparked significant debate due to his background and public persona.

Lisa Hagan delves into Patel’s history, noting his transition from a public defender and federal prosecutor to a prominent pro-Trump influencer promoting conspiracy theories.

Lisa Hagan [05:38]: "Cash Patel has built a brand promoting pro Trump conspiracy theories. What can that tell us about his plans for the FBI?"

Patel authored children’s books and an adult-oriented book titled "Government Gangsters," where he discusses the "Deep State," a central theme in his narrative.

Cash Patel [06:37]: "Government Gangsters are the group of individuals… installed by what we call the Deep State into every agency and department in the United States government."

His involvement with conspiracy theories, particularly those surrounding the Deep State and QAnon, raises concerns about his suitability to lead an agency traditionally valued for its impartiality.

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5. Concerns About Patel’s Influence and Agenda

Experts like Russell Muirhead from Dartmouth College highlight the dangers of placing a conspiracist influencer at the helm of the FBI. The Deep State narrative, whether believed or not, can be used to legitimize efforts to disrupt governmental institutions that resist Trump's influence.

Russell Muirhead [07:13]: "It's a concept that legitimizes a project to disrupt or disable the parts of government that don't bend to Trump's will."

Patel’s public statements and promotional activities further illustrate his alignment with these conspiracy theories. For instance, his children's books and merchandise promote narratives that align with QAnon and anti-establishment sentiments.

Cash Patel [07:27]: "They have spent decades building this institution of the Deep State, and it will take one more Trump term to completely annihilate it and swing an anvil through that place."

Additionally, Patel’s involvement in selling branded merchandise and promoting products that claim to counteract COVID-19 vaccines’ effects—while professing charitable intentions—adds to the controversy surrounding his appointment.

Cash Patel [09:27]: "Every dollar that comes out of the merchandise sales from fight with cash.com goes right back into the coffer to help everyday Americans."

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon also criticized Patel, emphasizing his lack of qualifications and questioning his suitability for the FBI role.

Steve Bannon [10:08]: "We will go out and find the conspirators not just in government, but in the media… We're going to come after you."

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6. Future Outlook for the FBI

The potential appointment of Cash Patel as FBI Director raises critical questions about the future independence and integrity of the bureau. Concerns revolve around whether the FBI will maintain its traditional role as an unbiased law enforcement body or become a tool for political vendettas.

Russell Muirhead [11:52]: "Maybe the FBI could be used to support, to generate conspiratorial narratives that delegitimate the opposition and empower the regime."

As Patel seeks confirmation from senators, his influence on the FBI’s direction remains a topic of intense scrutiny. The episode underscores the broader implications for American democracy and the rule of law, contingent on the FBI’s leadership trajectory.

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Conclusion

The episode of Consider This thoroughly examines the implications of Christopher Wray’s resignation and Cash Patel’s potential appointment as the next FBI Director. Through insightful discussions and expert analysis, the hosts highlight the pivotal role FBI leadership plays in maintaining governmental integrity and the rule of law. The contrasting perspectives between Trump’s supportive stance on appointing Wray and his contentious view of Patel underscore the ongoing tension between political influence and institutional autonomy within the FBI.

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Notable Quotes:

• Ailsa Chang [00:00]: "Writing a farewell speech is kind of like writing your own eulogy…"
• Donald Trump [00:41]: "A great day for America. The end of the, quote, weaponization of the Justice Department."
• Cash Patel [06:37]: "Government Gangsters are the group of individuals… installed by what we call the Deep State…"
• Russell Muirhead [07:13]: "It's a concept that legitimizes a project to disrupt or disable the parts of government that don't bend to Trump's will."
• Cash Patel [07:27]: "They have spent decades building this institution of the Deep State…"

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions, insights, and implications presented in the episode, providing a clear understanding for those who have not listened to it.

Transcript

[Ailsa Chang]

Writing a farewell speech is kind of like writing your own eulogy, right? One last attempt to define your legacy and to shape the world that you're leaving behind. So it is worth paying attention to what FBI Director Christopher Wray told his employees on Wednesday when he announced that he would resign at the end of the Biden administration.

[Donald Trump]

What absolutely, positively cannot, must not change is our commitment to doing the right thing in the right way every time. Our adherence to our core values, our dedication to independence and objectivity, and our defense of the rule of law.

[Ailsa Chang]

President elect Donald Trump saw Wray's tenure very differently. He called Wray's resignation a great day for America. The end of the, quote, weaponization of the Justice Department. And he had already announced another pick for FBI director, implying that Wray would be fired at the start of Trump's second term. But the thing is, Trump gave Christopher Wray the job in the first place. Trump nominated him back in 2017 because he had just fired Ray's predecessor, James Comey. Trump's explanation for that firing changed over time. In an interview with NBC, he said Comey was a grandstander who had left the agency in turmoil. But he also said this.

[Donald Trump]

When I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story. It's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election.

[Ailsa Chang]

At the time, the FBI had been investigating potential collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. Trump insisted that he was not trying to kill that investigation. FBI directors are appointed to a 10 year term that is meant to insulate them from pressure from the president. So after Trump cut Comey's terms short, the question of independence was at the very center of the confirmation hearing for his replacement. Christopher Wray promised that he would be unswayed by political pressure.

[Donald Trump]

I have way, way, way too much respect and affection, frankly, for the men and women of the FBI to do anything less than that. And I would just say anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI director sure doesn't know me very well.

[Ailsa Chang]

But eventually, Wray's independent actions at the FBI drew fire from Trump as well. During his presidency, when the bureau's agents continued to investigate Russian election interference. And after Trump's presidency, when the FBI executed a search warrant at his Mar A Lago resort in a classified documents case, Trump talked about it on NBC's Meet the Press over the weekend.

[Donald Trump]

He invaded my home. I'm suing the country over it. He invaded Mar? A Lago. I'm very unhappy with the things he's done and crime is at an all time high.

[Ailsa Chang]

Soon Wray will be gone and the independence of the FBI is again an open question. Trump's new pick to lead the FBI, Cash Patel has talked about going after Trump's political opponents. Trump was asked about this in that NBC interview. Is it your expectation though, that Cash Patel will pursue investigations against your political enemies?

[Donald Trump]

No, I don't think so.

[Ailsa Chang]

Do you want to see that happen?

[Donald Trump]

If they were crooked, if they did something wrong, if they have broken the law, probably they went after me, you know, they went after me and I did nothing wrong.

[Ailsa Chang]

Consider this Cash Patel has built a brand promoting pro Trump conspiracy theories. What can that tell us about his plans for the FBI? From NPR, I'm Ailsa Chang.

[Lisa Hagan]

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[Donald Trump]

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[Ailsa Chang]

From the online Trends that dominated 2024.

[Donald Trump]

On the spectrum of brat to demure, where are you right now?

[Ailsa Chang]

To Spicy TikTok Viral reads these romance.

[Lisa Hagan]

Fantasy books about dragons.

[Ailsa Chang]

NPR kept you up to speed on pop culture all year long. Give back to the news source that just hits different by donating [e-mail] and thank you. It's consider this from n President Elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the FBI. Cash Patel held several national security positions in the first Trump administration. Since then, he's found money and attention as a pro Trump influencer promoting conspiracy theories. NPR's Lisa Hagan reports on how those narratives have helped inspire Patel's public threats to go after Trump's perceived enemies.

[Lisa Hagan]

What you're hearing is a promotional music video for a children's book written by Cash Patel. It's about a plot to steal an election from a noble leader called King Donald.

[Donald Trump]

The Plot against the Kings the Plot.

[Lisa Hagan]

Against the King the Plot against the King Children's books are a trilogy in which a wizard named Cash. The distinguished discoverer helps King Donald defeat characters like Hillary Quentin and Kamalala. Patel started his career as a public defender and later became a federal prosecutor. During Trump's first term, Patel's work as a congressional aide defending the president got him noticed. He went on to hold several national security positions. The Trump transition team says that's why Patel is, quote, beyond qualified to be FBI director. Patel did not respond to interview requests from npr. He wrote another book, this one for adults. It's called Government Gangsters, a phrase he explains in a trailer for a documentary adaptation of the book.

[Cash Patel]

Government Gangsters are the group of individuals, career bureaucrats who have been installed by what we call the Deep State into every agency and department in the United States government.

[Lisa Hagan]

The Deep State is one of Patel's main talking points, according to Russell Muirhead. He teaches political science at Dartmouth College and studies the impact of conspiracy theories on democracy.

[Donald Trump]

The Deep State conspiracy refers to the idea that a huge raft of governmental officials are actually hostile to the president and want to obstruct him and want to disempower his constituents and his movement.

[Lisa Hagan]

Muirhead says what's important about the Deep State idea, whether people truly believe it or not, is how it functions. It's a concept that legitimizes a project to disrupt or disable the parts of government that don't bend to Trump's will.

[Cash Patel]

They have spent decades building this institution of the Deep State, and it will take one more Trump term to completely annihilate it and swing an anvil through that place.

[Lisa Hagan]

That's Patel speaking just before the election at a stop of the Reawaken Tour in North Carolina. Patel's contributions to Deep State lore made him a popular guest at right wing events like the Reawaken. Tour is a speaker circuit and product expo thick with modern pro Trump conspiracy theories, including QAnon. Its adherents believe, among other things, that an anonymous Internet poster revealed secret knowledge about Deep State collaboration with a cabal of pedophile elites to secretly traffic children and consume their blood. Many QAnon believers also look forward to the storm, which they anticipate would include mass arrests or punishing the cabal and members of the Deep State. Here's Patel in 2022 talking to Pro Trump influencer Mary Grace.

[Cash Patel]

You know, the Q thing is a movement. A lot of people attach themselves to it. I disagree with a lot of what that movement says, but I agree with what a lot of that movement says.

[Lisa Hagan]

Asked to clarify, a Trump transition team spokesperson said, quote, this is a pathetic attempt at Guilt by Association, Patel has tended not to focus on the pedophile part of the Q belief system, but he has been a guest on at least a dozen podcasts that have spread QAnon content or related conspiracy theories. Here's Muirhead again.

[Donald Trump]

It does seem that he's happy to embrace the whole train of conspiratorial assertions associated with or even that define Donald Trump. He's happy to embrace QAnon. It delivers him to an audience of sympathetic listeners and watchers.

[Cash Patel]

Check out the T shirts, the hoodies, the Christmas time specials and so much more.

[Lisa Hagan]

Patel has used his exposure to plug a whole range of products which is.

[Cash Patel]

The hottest selling merch in America. Our logos, our creativity are out of the world.

[Lisa Hagan]

He's promoted supplements that claim to detoxify the supposed negative effects of COVID vaccines. Patel also sells cash branded wine. He spells the S with a dollar sign. At least some of his merchandise proceeds benefit charity through his foundation, which he Sundays has supported January 6th defendants, among others.

[Cash Patel]

Every dollar that comes out of the merchandise sales from fight with cash.com goes right back into the coffer to help everyday Americans.

[Lisa Hagan]

In its public tax filings from 2023, the foundation's first full year of operation, it spent more money on marketing than it gave away. Patel has also promoted false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump, and last year he promised payback.

[Cash Patel]

We will go out and find the conspirators not just in government, but in the media. Yes, we're going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. We're going to come after you.

[Lisa Hagan]

That's from an appearance on former Trump adviser Steve Bannon's talk show. Patel has sued journalists for defamation and recently threatened to sue a former Trump official after she argued he's unfit to lead the FBI. Charles Kupperman is a former deputy national security adviser to Trump who said he didn't vote for either candidate in the last election. He told NPR he didn't trust Patel when they overlapped at the National Security Council, and he's not impressed with how Patel has spent the last four years.

[Donald Trump]

Writing pseudo children's books about King and so forth. Doesn't strike me as a strong resume for an individual to become FBI director.

[Lisa Hagan]

Patel's Government Gangsters book includes a list of people he considers part of the Deep State. Kupperman is on it, though he says that's not going to stop him from sharing his opinion about Patel. The FBI has traditionally operated independently from the president. But Kupperman now worries Cash will be.

[Donald Trump]

A propagandist for Donald Trump. He will carry out any orders that the White House president gives him, and he will have an opportunity, if he is confirmed at the FBI, to invoke retribution against individuals. And it will not be a pretty picture.

[Lisa Hagan]

A Trump spokesperson told NPR that as FBI director, Cash Patel will end the weaponization of the agency. For Muirhead, the Dartmouth professor, there's another concern about a conspiracist influencer at the head of the bureau.

[Donald Trump]

Maybe the FBI could be used to support, to generate conspiratorial narratives that delegitimate the opposition and empower the regime.

[Lisa Hagan]

Patel has spent the week on Capitol Hill making his case to senators about why he deserves the job.

[Ailsa Chang]

That was NPR's Lisa Hagan. This episode was produced by Audrey Wynn and Connor Donovan, with audio engineering by Zoe vangenhoven, with additional reporting by Jude Joffe Block. It was edited by Brett Neely, Eric McDaniel and Courtney Dorney. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Ailsa Chang. Hi, I'm Laurel Wamsley, and I cover.

[Lisa Hagan]

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[Ailsa Chang]

That means I report on some of.

[Lisa Hagan]

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[Ailsa Chang]

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[Lisa Hagan]

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