Report: FBI Spied On Likely New Director 

A bombshell report from the Department of Justice Inspector General has revealed that the FBI secretly spied on Kash Patel, the Trump administration’s pick to lead the bureau, during the years he was investigating the agency for alleged misconduct in the Russiagate probe. The surveillance began in late 2017, targeting Patel’s phone records and emails as he led a House Intelligence Committee investigation into the FBI’s use of opposition research from Hillary Clinton to justify surveillance of Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

The nearly 100-page report details how, under then-acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, the agency issued subpoenas compelling tech giants like Google and Apple to turn over Patel’s personal data. These subpoenas, renewed annually, allowed the FBI to monitor Patel and other congressional staffers for up to five years, even after McCabe’s successor, Christopher Wray, took charge. The court orders also gagged service providers from notifying Patel or others affected.

Patel remained unaware of the surveillance until 2022, when Google finally informed him. “The FBI and DOJ subpoenaed my personal records while I was exposing their abuses,” Patel told reporters. He accused the FBI of “copying and pasting” opposition research from Democratic operatives directly into FISA warrant applications, calling it a blatant abuse of power.

The Inspector General’s report criticized the FBI’s actions, warning that such surveillance undermines congressional oversight and deters whistleblowers. Michael Horowitz, the DOJ’s Inspector General, highlighted the potential “chilling effect” this kind of overreach could have on government transparency.

Jason Foster, a former Senate investigator who was also targeted, called the surveillance a “fishing expedition” designed to shield the FBI from accountability during the Russiagate investigation. “McCabe lied about his own leaking and wasn’t prosecuted,” Foster said. “This abuse of power demands accountability.”

In a stunning turn of events, current FBI Director Christopher Wray announced his resignation following the release of the report, paving the way for Patel to take the helm. A spokesperson for Trump’s team praised Patel as the ideal leader to “restore trust” in the FBI, citing his commitment to balancing national security with civil liberties.

Patel, who has vowed to “clean house,” is expected to prioritize holding those involved in past abuses accountable. “If we don’t address this now, the abuse will only continue,” he warned. His leadership marks a significant shift for the FBI, which faces growing calls for reform and transparency in the wake of these revelations.