"They know they are not supposed to do this. But if they don't go forward, they could lose their jobs. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. One source said, highlighting the pressure FBI personnel face to investigate despite recognizing the conflict of interest inherent in the FBI director simultaneously suing the journalist being investigated."
"The Atlantic's Sarah Fitzpatrick reported last month that officials became alarmed by Patel's alleged excessive drinking and erratic behavior. Fitzpatrick said she spoke to dozens of people, including current and former FBI officials, Justice Department officials, people close to the White House, people involved in intelligence agencies, lawyers, and lobbyists."
"This is a new frontier here for the FBI. The prospect of the FBI investigating a journalist that the FBI director is actively suing goes beyond a glaring conflict of interest, marking an alarming escalation of the Trump administration's assault on the press."
FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic over a story by journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick reporting on his alleged excessive drinking and erratic behavior. Subsequently, the FBI launched an investigation into leaks to Fitzpatrick, marking an unusual departure from standard protocol since no classified information was disclosed. Sources indicate FBI personnel feel pressured to proceed despite recognizing the impropriety, fearing job loss if they don't. This situation represents an escalation of the Trump administration's confrontational stance toward the press. Fitzpatrick's reporting drew from dozens of sources across government and intelligence agencies. The lawsuit follows other legal actions Patel has taken against media figures.
#press-freedom #fbi-investigation #defamation-lawsuit #government-accountability #conflict-of-interest
Read at Intelligencer
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]