Inside the FBI's Loyalty Test Crisis Under Kash Patel
Michael Feinberg, a seasoned FBI veteran with nearly 15 years of service at the bureau, stunned colleagues and observers alike when he abruptly resigned from his post in Norfolk, Virginia. His departure was not due to scandal or misconduct but rather an alleged demand that he take a polygraph test to prove his loyalty to the bureau's new leadership. Feinberg's explosive resignation letter and subsequent public essay have cast a harsh spotlight on the FBI's internal climate under President Donald Trump's appointees, Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, raising alarms about the politicization of one of America's most trusted law enforcement agencies.
A Trusted Insider Forced Out
Feinberg's career trajectory was on a steady rise. As an assistant special agent in charge at the Norfolk field office, he was a senior counterintelligence official specializing in China-related cases. His expertise and leadership earned him respect within the bureau, and he was on track for further promotions into senior executive roles. However, his friendship with Peter Strzok, a former FBI counterintelligence agent who was fired years ago amid controversy, became the catalyst for his downfall. Feinberg was never accused of wrongdoing, but the mere association with Strzok, a figure reviled by Trump and his allies, was allegedly enough to trigger suspicion and punitive action from the bureau's top brass.
The turning point came in late May when Feinberg's special agent in charge informed him that Deputy Director Dan Bongino had taken issue with his continued friendship with Strzok. Feinberg was reportedly told that he would likely face demotion and be subjected to a polygraph test focused on his loyalty and relationship with Strzok. Rather than endure what he described as somewhat of a loyalty test and a politicized purge of sorts, Feinberg chose to resign, a decision he later explained in a candid essay published in July with Lawfare.
Loyalty Over Competence
Feinberg's resignation letter painted a grim picture of the FBI's current state. He lamented the "decay" of the bureau, warning that the new leadership prioritizes ideological purity and political loyalty over professional expertise. This shift, he argued, undermines the bureau's ability to protect national security and uphold the rule of law. Feinberg's concerns are reportedly echoed by many within the bureau who fear that the agency is being transformed into a political tool rather than an impartial law enforcement body.
The demand for a polygraph test to assess loyalty is particularly telling. Polygraphs, while used in internal investigations, are widely regarded as unreliable and are inadmissible in most courts. Yet, under Patel and Bongino, the FBI has ramped up the use of these tests, not only to root out leaks but also to monitor whether agents have spoken negatively about the leadership, as reported by The Daily Beast. This has created a climate of fear and distrust, with agents worried that even casual criticism could cost them their jobs.
A Toxic Atmosphere at the Top
Feinberg described the bureau's highest ranks, known internally as the "seventh floor," as a toxic environment ruled by fear. He recounted how Deputy Director Bongino's unpredictable behavior and credulity toward conspiracy theories have made senior executives wary of one-on-one meetings with him. The leadership's focus on loyalty tests and ideological conformity has sidelined many experienced agents who refuse to compromise their principles. Those who resist reportedly face demotion, forced transfers, or isolation in meaningless roles, effectively pushing them out without formal dismissal.
Feinberg's experience is not unique. Numerous reports indicate a wave of personnel changes targeting senior FBI officials who rose through the ranks under previous administrations. Many have retired early or been reassigned under the guise of bureaucratic reshuffling. The result is a significant loss of institutional knowledge and expertise at a time when the bureau faces complex threats from foreign intelligence services and domestic criminal organizations.
The Impact on National Security
One of Feinberg's greatest concerns is the bureau's shifting priorities. According to The Atlantic, under the new leadership, resources are increasingly diverted toward immigration enforcement, often in collaboration with ICE, rather than focusing on high-level counterintelligence and organized crime investigations. Feinberg, who speaks Mandarin and led investigations into Chinese espionage, worries that this change undermines the FBI's core mission and endangers national security. He questions whether anyone with his expertise remains in senior counterintelligence roles.
Some argue that the politicization of the FBI also risks alienating immigrant communities, which are crucial sources of intelligence on transnational criminal groups. If immigrants fear deportation or retaliation, they are less likely to cooperate with law enforcement, further hampering investigations into dangerous organizations like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua.
What Lies Ahead for Feinberg and the FBI
Since leaving the bureau, Feinberg has committed to continuing his work on national security and rule of law issues from outside the government. He reportedly plans to write and advocate on topics related to constitutional limits on intelligence and law enforcement, as well as the ongoing threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party. Some say his departure marks a loss for the FBI but also serves as a warning about the consequences of politicizing a critical institution.
Feinberg's story highlights a broader struggle within the FBI and other federal agencies as political appointees seek to reshape these organizations. The demand for loyalty tests, the use of polygraphs to monitor internal dissent, and the sidelining of experienced agents raise questions about the future effectiveness and integrity of the bureau. After all, when power shifts in Washington, the new precedence for loyalty tests may cut the other way.
For those inside the FBI, Feinberg's resignation is a cautionary tale. It signals a turning point where professionalism may be sacrificed for political allegiance, and where the agency's mission to serve the public and uphold the Constitution risks being overshadowed by internal power struggles.
References: A Casualty of Trump's FBI Purge Speaks Out | Lawfare Daily: Michael Feinberg on Leaving the FBI | Lawfare | Kash Patel Is Polygraphing FBI Staff to Find Out if They're Being Mean About Him | Goodbye to All That
