The Bulwark Podcast Ben Wittes and Michael Feinberg: Breakdown at the FBI
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Jul 16, 2025 Ben Wittes, editor of Lawfare, and Michael Feinberg, a former top FBI deputy, dive into the FBI's internal turmoil. They discuss how political pressures, including an enemies list from Kash Patel, are reshaping the Bureau, detracting from its core national security mission. Feinberg shares personal anecdotes about the impact of friendships on careers within the agency. The duo also addresses the deteriorating morale among agents, the bizarre conspiracies surrounding high-profile cases, and the complexities of U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
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Feinberg's Forced FBI Exit
- Michael Feinberg was forced to resign from the FBI due to his friendship with Pete Strzok.
- He was told his career was effectively over, facing demotion and a polygraph about this friendship.
FBI Expertise Wasted on Immigration
- The FBI is currently diverting veterans from specialized national security work to immigration enforcement roles.
- This repurposing wastes expertise and transforms agents into perimeter security guards for ICE operations.
Decline in Criminal Enforcement
- DOJ no longer prioritizes white-collar crime and public integrity enforcement.
- Lack of prosecution capability hampers FBI investigations, leading to wasted efforts and unaddressed threats.
