Loyalty Over Competence At Trump's Justice Department

Thu Jul 31 2025

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Emil Bove as a federal appeals court judge, a lifetime appointment to a perch one rung below the U.S. Supreme Court. Bove, who served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, ascended to the top ranks of the Justice Department when Trump returned to office in January. Ahead of his Senate confirmation, he became the subject of multiple whistleblower complaints, with some alleging Bove told DOJ subordinates they may need to ignore court orders to enact Trump’s agenda (Bove denies the allegations). Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe joins us to talk about what Bove’s confirmation signals to the rank and file at the DOJ. He also weighs in on what’s happening at his former agency right now and — maybe more importantly — what’s not happening. And in headlines: President Donald Trump announced a new 25 percent tariff on India ahead of his Aug. 1 deals deadline, former Vice President President Kamala Harris announced she won’t run for governor o...

Summary

What a Day: Episode Summary – "Loyalty Over Competence At Trump's Justice Department"

Release Date: July 31, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston
Guest: Andrew McCabe, Former FBI Deputy Director

Introduction

In this episode of What a Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the troubling dynamics within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under President Donald Trump's administration. The primary focus centers on the confirmation of Emil Bovey to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the subsequent implications for federal law enforcement's integrity and efficacy.

Confirmation of Emil Bovey [00:02 – 03:20]

The episode begins with the Senate's confirmation of Emil Bovey to a lifetime position on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a role just one step below the Supreme Court. Jane Coaston highlights Bovey's controversial background:

Lack of Judicial Experience: Bovey's judicial history is minimal, lacking significant opinions or academic contributions typically expected for such a high-ranking position.
Trump's Personal Attorney: His close ties to former President Trump, serving as Trump's personal attorney, raise concerns about his impartiality and commitment to justice.

Notable Quote:

[01:50] Jane Coston: "And they're also tied up in ongoing…"

Whistleblower Allegations and DOJ Conduct [03:20 – 05:52]

Jane Coaston introduces the contentious actions Bovey took during his tenure at the DOJ:

Interference in Investigations: Bovey reportedly fired attorneys involved in the January 6th investigation and halted corruption probes against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Resignations and Whistleblowers: These actions led to ten DOJ lawyers resigning, with three whistleblowers coming forward to expose Bovey's attempts to undermine judicial processes.

Notable Quote:

[03:20] Jane Coston: "He forced prosecutors in New York to stop pursuing Mayor Eric Adams for corruption charges, an effort so bonkers."

Impact on DOJ and FBI Morale [05:13 – 08:14]

Andrew McCabe joins the conversation to provide expert insights:

Message to Employees: McCabe asserts that ignoring whistleblower claims sends a demoralizing message to DOJ and FBI personnel, effectively silencing dissent and discouraging integrity.
Inspector General's Failure: The DOJ's Inspector General's office is criticized for neglecting to act on credible whistleblower reports, reflecting a systemic failure to uphold ethical standards.

Notable Quote:

[05:22] Andrew McCabe: "The message is shut up. We don't want to hear what you have to say."

Shift in DOJ and FBI Missions Under Trump [05:52 – 11:42]

McCabe elaborates on the strategic redirection within the DOJ and FBI:

Reallocation of Resources: Key FBI personnel are being reassigned from critical areas like counterterrorism to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, diminishing the agency's focus on preventing terrorism.
Reduction in White-Collar Crime Investigations: There's a notable scaling back of investigations into white-collar crimes, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, fraud, and other financial crimes, which are essential for protecting national and economic security.

Notable Quote:

[07:14] Jane Coston: "And you're taking them off that duty to walk around as security guards for ICE. That should be really concerning to people who want us to stay ahead of the terrorism threat."

Loyalty Over Competence in FBI Leadership [08:14 – 12:20]

The discussion transitions to the leadership of Kash Patel, the FBI Director:

Inexperienced Leadership: McCabe criticizes Patel for lacking relevant experience, highlighting his background as a Secret Service agent and his undemonstrated capability to lead a vast organization effectively.
Loyalty Purges: Under Patel's leadership, there has been a systematic removal of seasoned FBI officials, replaced by individuals who prioritize loyalty over professional competence.
Distrust of Intelligence Community: McCabe warns that Patel's inherent distrust of analysts and the broader intelligence community undermines the FBI's foundational role in national security.

Notable Quotes:

[10:15] Jane Coston: "What you're seeing now is the people who are complaining about politicization that did not happen are actually engaging in the most overt era of politicizing, the FBI and the Department of Justice that really any of us have ever seen."

[09:12] Andrew McCabe: "Possibility means you have a chance. Passion opens the door to all possibilities."

Risks to the American Public and National Security [11:42 – 12:20]

McCabe emphasizes the severe repercussions of the current DOJ and FBI trajectory:

Erosion of Trust: The politicization and internal purges erode public trust in these institutions, essential for upholding law and order.
Preparedness for Crises: The removal of experienced officials undermines the FBI's ability to respond effectively to national crises, such as terrorism threats or major criminal activities.
Long-Term Stability: The shift towards loyalty over competence threatens the long-term stability and efficiency of federal law enforcement, posing significant risks to national security.

Notable Quote:

[12:20] Andrew McCabe: "That's gotta be hard. But this latest round of accusations retread of the 2016 investigations, that was really amazing."

Politicization of the FBI and DOJ [12:20 – 14:24]

The conversation concludes with a critique of the FBI's current politicized state:

Historical Context: McCabe contrasts the current situation with the post-J. Edgar Hoover era, where the FBI strived for non-partisanship and integrity.
Executive Influence: The influence of political leaders in appointing unqualified individuals to key positions exacerbates the agency's drift towards politicization.
Future Implications: McCabe expresses grave concern over how this politicization will impair the FBI's ability to perform its duties impartially and effectively in the future.

Notable Quote:

[14:14] Jane Coston: "Deputy Director McCabe, thank you so much for joining me."

[12:20] Andrew McCabe: "Those were really amazing."

Conclusion

Jane Coaston wraps up the episode by emphasizing the critical nature of these developments within the DOJ and FBI. The confirmation of Emil Bovey, coupled with the leadership of Kash Patel, signals a troubling shift towards prioritizing loyalty over competence, undermining the very foundations of federal law enforcement. Andrew McCabe's insights shed light on the potential long-term consequences for national security and public trust, urging listeners to stay informed and vigilant.

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.

Summary

What a Day: Episode Summary – "Loyalty Over Competence At Trump's Justice Department"

Release Date: July 31, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston
Guest: Andrew McCabe, Former FBI Deputy Director

Introduction

Confirmation of Emil Bovey [00:02 – 03:20]

Lack of Judicial Experience: Bovey's judicial history is minimal, lacking significant opinions or academic contributions typically expected for such a high-ranking position.
Trump's Personal Attorney: His close ties to former President Trump, serving as Trump's personal attorney, raise concerns about his impartiality and commitment to justice.

Notable Quote:

[01:50] Jane Coston: "And they're also tied up in ongoing…"

Whistleblower Allegations and DOJ Conduct [03:20 – 05:52]

Jane Coaston introduces the contentious actions Bovey took during his tenure at the DOJ:

Interference in Investigations: Bovey reportedly fired attorneys involved in the January 6th investigation and halted corruption probes against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Resignations and Whistleblowers: These actions led to ten DOJ lawyers resigning, with three whistleblowers coming forward to expose Bovey's attempts to undermine judicial processes.

Notable Quote:

[03:20] Jane Coston: "He forced prosecutors in New York to stop pursuing Mayor Eric Adams for corruption charges, an effort so bonkers."

Impact on DOJ and FBI Morale [05:13 – 08:14]

Andrew McCabe joins the conversation to provide expert insights:

Message to Employees: McCabe asserts that ignoring whistleblower claims sends a demoralizing message to DOJ and FBI personnel, effectively silencing dissent and discouraging integrity.
Inspector General's Failure: The DOJ's Inspector General's office is criticized for neglecting to act on credible whistleblower reports, reflecting a systemic failure to uphold ethical standards.

Notable Quote:

[05:22] Andrew McCabe: "The message is shut up. We don't want to hear what you have to say."

Shift in DOJ and FBI Missions Under Trump [05:52 – 11:42]

McCabe elaborates on the strategic redirection within the DOJ and FBI:

Reallocation of Resources: Key FBI personnel are being reassigned from critical areas like counterterrorism to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, diminishing the agency's focus on preventing terrorism.
Reduction in White-Collar Crime Investigations: There's a notable scaling back of investigations into white-collar crimes, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, fraud, and other financial crimes, which are essential for protecting national and economic security.

Notable Quote:

[07:14] Jane Coston: "And you're taking them off that duty to walk around as security guards for ICE. That should be really concerning to people who want us to stay ahead of the terrorism threat."

Loyalty Over Competence in FBI Leadership [08:14 – 12:20]

The discussion transitions to the leadership of Kash Patel, the FBI Director:

Inexperienced Leadership: McCabe criticizes Patel for lacking relevant experience, highlighting his background as a Secret Service agent and his undemonstrated capability to lead a vast organization effectively.
Loyalty Purges: Under Patel's leadership, there has been a systematic removal of seasoned FBI officials, replaced by individuals who prioritize loyalty over professional competence.
Distrust of Intelligence Community: McCabe warns that Patel's inherent distrust of analysts and the broader intelligence community undermines the FBI's foundational role in national security.

Notable Quotes:

[10:15] Jane Coston: "What you're seeing now is the people who are complaining about politicization that did not happen are actually engaging in the most overt era of politicizing, the FBI and the Department of Justice that really any of us have ever seen."

[09:12] Andrew McCabe: "Possibility means you have a chance. Passion opens the door to all possibilities."

Risks to the American Public and National Security [11:42 – 12:20]

McCabe emphasizes the severe repercussions of the current DOJ and FBI trajectory:

Erosion of Trust: The politicization and internal purges erode public trust in these institutions, essential for upholding law and order.
Preparedness for Crises: The removal of experienced officials undermines the FBI's ability to respond effectively to national crises, such as terrorism threats or major criminal activities.
Long-Term Stability: The shift towards loyalty over competence threatens the long-term stability and efficiency of federal law enforcement, posing significant risks to national security.

Notable Quote:

[12:20] Andrew McCabe: "That's gotta be hard. But this latest round of accusations retread of the 2016 investigations, that was really amazing."

Politicization of the FBI and DOJ [12:20 – 14:24]

The conversation concludes with a critique of the FBI's current politicized state:

Historical Context: McCabe contrasts the current situation with the post-J. Edgar Hoover era, where the FBI strived for non-partisanship and integrity.
Executive Influence: The influence of political leaders in appointing unqualified individuals to key positions exacerbates the agency's drift towards politicization.
Future Implications: McCabe expresses grave concern over how this politicization will impair the FBI's ability to perform its duties impartially and effectively in the future.

Notable Quote:

[14:14] Jane Coston: "Deputy Director McCabe, thank you so much for joining me."

[12:20] Andrew McCabe: "Those were really amazing."

Conclusion

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.