Pod Force One: PF1 Minisode

Episode Title: Embattled FBI Director Kash Patel Under Scrutiny
Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post)
Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This Mini episode features Miranda Devine diving into the hot-button topic of FBI Director Kash Patel’s leadership, six months into his controversial tenure, along with his deputy, Dan Bongino. Drawing from an independent, anonymously-authored report provided by trusted FBI insiders, Devine analyzes their rising criticisms, leadership challenges, and reform attempts within the nation's preeminent law enforcement agency. The episode aims to provide a candid pulse check on the agency at a precarious moment in American politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Purpose of the Report

• Miranda Devine utilized a newly-released, 115-page FBI insider report to evaluate Kash Patel’s first six months as director.
• The report was assembled by an alliance of active and retired agents—people Devine has leaned on for accuracy in past columns.
  [00:20 – 01:00]

2. Harsh Evaluations: Leadership Under Fire

• Patel faces criticism from within, including allegations of inexperience, arrogance, and poor judgment.
  • He is described as "in over his head" and "rudderless."
  • Bongino is disparaged as "something of a clown."
  • The internal consensus: only a "short window of opportunity" exists to reform the FBI during Trump's presidency.
  • Quotable:

    “Patel is ‘in over his head,’ and his deputy Dan Bongino is ‘something of a clown.’”
    (Report Excerpt, read by Devine, 01:20)

• Direct quotes from insiders (with mixed views):
  • "He has neither the breadth of experience nor the bearing an FBI director needs to be successful."
    (Internal source, 01:50)
  • “Not very good, maybe insecure and lacks the requisite experience or the measured self-confidence to be FBI director.”
    (Self-professed Trump supporter, 02:00)
  • Some balance: “Very personable and likable,” but has “created a culture of mistrust and uncertainty among the ranks.”
    (Another internal source, 02:15)

3. Specific Incidents Eroding Trust

a. The Salt Lake City Incident (Charlie Kirk Assassination)

• Patel criticized for premature public remarks after the assassination, allegedly jeopardizing the investigation and taking credit for other agencies’ work.
• He was reported to have engaged in unprofessional conduct:
  • Yelled and swore at the Special Agent in Charge, Robert Bowles.

    “Yelled at Special Agent in Charge Robert Bowles and directed an expletive-laden tirade over perceived blunders in the case.”
    (Alpha99, 04:30)

  • Bongino later apologized to Bowles, saying,

    “That should never have happened.”
    (Bongino via Alpha99, 04:50)

• Both are accused of an “unfortunate obsession with social media” and being too focused on "public relations and building their personal resumes.”
  (Multiple sources, 05:00)

b. The "Medium-Sized Raid Jacket" Anecdote

• On 9/11/2025, after Kirk's assassination, Patel refused to leave the FBI jet until provided with a properly fitted, patched FBI raid jacket.

  “Patel apparently did not have his own FBI raid jacket with him and refused to step from the plane without wearing one... Two areas on the upper sleeves did not have Velcro patches attached.”
  (Alpha99, 06:00)

• SWAT team members had to donate patches from their uniforms.

c. FBI Academy Polygraphs

• Patel allegedly ordered polygraphs for all present at FBI Quantico after news broke about his request for an FBI firearm, in an attempt to find the leaker.

  “Needlessly punitive.”
  (Alpha95, 08:30)

• Alpha95, described as “a highly respected leader and person of integrity,” was dismayed by this overreaction.

4. Persistent Internal Resistance & Culture Wars

• “Trump Derangement Syndrome is alive and well” among left-leaning FBI factions.
  • Some field office televisions tuned only to MSNBC and CNN but not Fox News, signaling a cultural rift in the agency.
• Past recruitment is blamed for leftward leanings:

  “Recruitment policies prioritised hiring teachers who were more left leaning.”
  (Report summary, 09:30)

• Anecdotal negativity toward the current leadership “skewed 80/20 negative.”
  (09:45)

5. Positive Feedback: Reforms with Some Traction

• Rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies: widely welcomed, with multiple sources saying administrative burden has been reduced.
  • Immigration raids cited as “overwhelmingly successful.”

    “Those individuals being swept up in the raids are criminal and dangerous, not otherwise law-abiding grandmas…”
    (Source, 12:00)

• Focus shift towards “casework and threats,” with many acknowledging this as a positive reprioritization.
• Higher morale detected in counterterrorism and criminal investigation teams, due to stronger DOJ and U.S. Attorney support.
• Aggressive prosecutors are seen as improving “operational effectiveness.”
• The firing of senior executives “complicit in past abuses” was welcomed, but insiders want reforms to reach middle management.

6. Call for Transparency and Final Advice

• Report authors (requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal) insist they “want nothing more than for the FBI and its director to succeed… but redemption will never be achieved unless there is full transparency.”
• Final advisory to Patel and Bongino:

  “Heed the criticism if you want to succeed.”
  (Report authors, 15:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kash Patel’s leadership:

  “Created a culture of mistrust and uncertainty among the ranks.”
  (Source, 02:10)

• On social media obsession:

  “They need to, ‘stop talking, stop posing and just be professional.’”
  (Internal source, 05:10)

• On internal FBI culture:

  “Televisions in FBI field offices are reported to be tuned to leftist channels... but not Fox News.”
  (Report observation, 09:35)

• On reforms:

  “Casework and threats are now the priority… a positive move.”
  (Internal source, 12:30)

• Final advice:

  “Redemption and resurrection of this proud agency will never be achieved unless there is full transparency to expose critical culture and operational deficiencies.”
  (Report authors, 15:30)

Major Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 – 01:00 – Miranda Devine introduces focus of the episode and the report
• 01:20 – 03:00 – Breakdown of criticisms and internal opinions
• 04:30 – 06:30 – The Salt Lake City "raid jacket" incident and public relations focus
• 08:10 – 08:50 – Polygraph controversy at the FBI Academy
• 09:30 – 10:00 – Ongoing cultural divisions and “Trump Derangement Syndrome”
• 11:50 – 13:00 – Positive internal reactions to DEI rollback and other reforms
• 14:10 – 15:30 – Calls for transparency and concluding assessments

Summary & Takeaways

Miranda Devine offers an unflinching, sourced look into the deeply divided world of the modern FBI under Kash Patel. The episode is driven by the stark contrast between persistent cultural/political resistance and attempts at rapid reform, set against a ticking clock of opportunity within Trump’s presidency. In the end, despite flaws and sharp criticisms, insiders express hope for FBI success—if Patel and his team can listen, adapt, and pursue true transparency.

For listeners seeking nuanced insight into the current turbulence inside the FBI, this minisode goes beyond the headlines—offering a rare, unvarnished look through the eyes of those within the Bureau itself.