Legal AF by MeidasTouch

Episode Title: Trump FBI in Panic After Massive Leak From Within
Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Michael Popok (MeidasTouch Network)
(Note: Ads, intros and outros omitted. Content begins around 08:00)

Overview

This Legal AF episode focuses on a dramatic leak involving the Trump Administration’s leadership of the FBI—specifically targeting FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Michael Popok examines the origins, purposes, and fallout of a scathing 115-page internal report leaked to prominent Trump-aligned journalist Miranda Devine, arguing it is part of an orchestrated campaign by Donald Trump to create political cover to fire his embattled FBI Director. The episode also delves into the civil war within the Trump administration and the broader implications for the FBI and DOJ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Leak and Its Context

• Origin of Leak:

  • Miranda Devine (New York Post, Pod Force One podcast) received a 115-page insider report criticizing Kash Patel and Dan Bongino days before it was to go to Congress.
  • Popok asserts this is reminiscent of Trump’s earlier patterns—using press leaks for strategic personnel moves.

• Miranda Devine’s Trump Ties:

  • Devine is a favored Trump media personality, often doing softball interviews with Trump.
  • Clip played (13:40):

    "Mr. President, thank you so much for doing this..." — Miranda Devine in Trump-friendly interview.

Kash Patel & Dan Bongino Under Fire

• Summary of the Scathing Report:

  • Authored by 29 current and former insiders.
  • Explicitly critical of Patel’s leadership.
  • Key allegations:
    • Low Morale:

      "The morale is ranging from low to bad to terrible. Much lower than when James Comey or Christopher Wray ran the organization." — Popok quoting the report (23:00)

    • Paralysis and Fear:

      "There is a culture of fear and paralysis ... FBI managers are waiting for the director to tell them specifically what to do, and they're on pins and needles as a result." (24:00)

    • Lack of Experience:
      • Patel described as "in over his head," with insufficient understanding of FBI complexities.
      • Bongino criticized for total lack of FBI background.
    • Obsession with Social Media:

      “Stop talking, stop posting, and just be professional.” — Comment cited from insider (26:40)

    • Personal Scandals:
      • Patel’s misuse of government resources is detailed, including personal use of a government jet to court a young girlfriend.
      • Spectacle compared to "a Bill Belichick moment," e.g., ordering SWAT to protect girlfriend during dates (15:15).

• Memorable Anecdotes:

  • Patel allegedly refused to participate in an investigation unless given a specific FBI jacket, illustrating frivolity in crisis moments (16:30).

Trump’s Calculated Moves

• Trump’s Track Record with Leaks:

  • Parallels drawn to how Trump “used to impersonate his own spokesperson” and leak to journalists for leverage (11:20).
  • Popok’s Theory (17:00):

    "My theory, having grown up in New York, is that Donald Trump and people in his administration are using the New York Post again in order to give Donald Trump political cover to fire Cash Patel."

• Clip Highlighting Trump’s Intent:

  • Trump publicly (on Devine’s show) denies plans to fire Patel, but Popok sees this as a façade (13:00):

    "Are you planning to replace Kash Patel? No, he's doing a good job... I think if I were Kash Patel, as I said when I first saw that clip, he should be packing his bags now."

The Succession and Internal Power Struggle

• Tensions within Trump’s DOJ/FBI:

  • Longstanding friction between Patel and other administration power players (Pam Bondi, Todd Blanche).
  • Civil war between pro-Trump appointees and established DOJ/FBI figures, aggravated by the Epstein scandal and resulting cover-up attempts.

• Expected Replacements:

  • Attorney General Andrew Bailey (MO), recent co-Deputy FBI Director (friend of Bondi), is positioned to replace Bongino and/or Patel.
  • DOJ will "run" the FBI, with Bondi and Blanche consolidating influence (29:00).

Senate Oversight and Public Backlash

• Fiery Senate Testimony Revisited:
  • Clips replayed of Senator Cory Booker admonishing Patel in prior hearings:

    "I think you're not going to be around long... as much as you supplicate yourself to the will of Donald Trump and not the Constitution... he will cut you loose." — Booker addressing Patel (33:40) "You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward." — Booker (35:45)

  • Popok notes the absence of support for Patel within the Trump admin as a "telltale sign" of imminent firing (38:10):

    "Where is the support from anyone within the Trump administration to say he's doing a great job? ... They're nowhere to be found."

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Popok on Trump’s Methods:

  "He's doing it all over again. ... It’s the same effing thing." (18:30)

• Popok on Leak’s Real Purpose:

  "This cover story, this fig leaf that Donald Trump and the people around him manufactured is just to get rid of Kash Patel." (30:30)

• On Patel’s Fate:

  "Kash Patel's days are numbered for me. It's not if, but when he's going to be fired. I think he won't make it to Christmas." (39:00)

• On Future Leadership:

  "Look for [Bailey] to appoint somebody that makes the FBI feel better, like a longtime special agent or somebody in operations who has the legacy knowledge about the FBI to help Bailey run it." (41:00)

Important Timestamps

• 08:00 — Show begins, analysis starts after ads
• 09:00 — Introduction to the leak, Miranda Devine’s involvement
• 13:00 — Clip: Trump publicly defends Kash Patel
• 15:15 — Report details on Patel’s personal scandal
• 16:30 — Anecdote: Patel’s “raid jacket” demand on private jet
• 17:00 — Popok’s theory on Trump’s leak strategy
• 23:00 — Report: FBI morale described as “low to terrible”
• 24:00–26:40 — Report: Culture of fear, obsession with social media
• 29:00 — Succession plan: Andrew Bailey’s looming elevation
• 33:40, 35:45 — Booker's damning Senate testimony excerpts
• 38:10 — Popok on lack of support for Patel
• 39:00–41:00 — Predictions: Patel/Bongino exits, Bailey’s rise

Conclusion

This episode offers a sharp, inside look at chaos and intrigue engulfing Trump’s FBI. Through leaked documents, sharp reporting, and explosive past testimony, Michael Popok paints a picture of an agency in turmoil—led by ideologues and beset by morale crises, gossip, and looming purges. The broadcast argues that the leak is less about exposing incompetence and more about orchestrating Patel and Bongino’s exits with minimum political blowback, while also previewing the likely consolidation of control by Bondi and Blanche loyalists.