Reports Show FBI Spied on Trump’s FBI Director Pick Kash Patel

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A new Department of Justice Inspector General report reveals that the FBI spied on Kash Patel, a key figure in the Trump and Biden administrations, during the investigation into the Trump-Russia collusion case. Patel, who led the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into the FBI’s use of false opposition research to surveil a Trump campaign official, had his phone records and emails secretly collected between 2017 and 2018.

The FBI issued subpoenas to Google and Apple during this period, seeking sensitive information about Patel and others involved in the investigation. At the time, Patel was unaware that his private communications were being monitored while he investigated the FBI’s role in securing a FISA warrant against Trump aide Carter Page. The subpoenas were initially gagged, preventing the companies from notifying Patel about the surveillance.

Patel only learned about the surveillance in 2022 when Google was authorized to send him a copy of the subpoena. He expressed outrage, emphasizing that the FBI had misused its power in surveilling him while he was uncovering the bureau’s use of partisan research for surveillance. He also criticized the FBI for continuing the surveillance under Christopher Wray, McCabe’s successor, and for its potential to intimidate whistleblowers.

The Inspector General’s report noted that the FBI’s actions could have a chilling effect on legitimate oversight by Congress. It also highlighted the growing concerns over improper interference in oversight and surveillance abuse. Following the release of the report, Patel, a strong critic of the FBI’s actions, is seen as a likely candidate to reform the agency as its next director, should he be confirmed by President Trump’s administration.