Former Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Michael Feinberg joins Nicolle Wallace to discuss his ouster from the FBI after he says that his friendship with a Trump critic put a target on his back for Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
Ousted FBI Agent Speaks Out on Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino
A former senior FBI agent is speaking out publicly for the first time after resigning under pressure, claiming he was forced out because of his personal friendship with a former FBI official who had been critical of Donald Trump. Michael Feinberg, a top deputy at the FBI’s Norfolk field office, says his career was derailed simply for being friends with former FBI counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok—now considered an enemy of the Trump administration.
Feinberg shared his story in a detailed personal essay and an interview, describing what he calls a “toxic” atmosphere within the FBI under current leadership, specifically naming Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. He claims his dismissal is part of a larger political purge targeting civil servants seen as disloyal or connected to Trump critics.
Feinberg had a clean record and years of success in national security work. But that didn’t protect him. “I had never faced any sort of disciplinary review or investigation,” he wrote. “I was not accused of violating any rules.” He says everything changed after Bongino learned he was friends with Strzok, a figure often vilified by Trump allies. Feinberg says Bongino then halted and reversed his career advancement, effectively forcing him to resign.
In his resignation letter, Feinberg expressed deep frustration and sadness, writing: “I love my country and our Constitution with a fervor that mere language will not allow me to articulate… It is now apparent that I can no longer fulfill my vow and continue working for our current leadership.”
He added that this decision would be difficult for his family, especially as he and his wife are expecting their first child. But he said he could no longer work for a leadership team that he believes is undermining the FBI’s integrity.
Feinberg said that while he never directly interacted with Patel or Bongino, their presence was felt across the agency. He described a climate of fear, where employees are afraid to speak out or even do their jobs without worrying about political consequences.
“There is a culture of fear that anybody’s career—whether you’re a senior executive or a new hire—can end at any moment for a political reason,” he said. “We’re losing experts in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and other key areas. Americans are less safe because of it.”
He also criticized the FBI’s recent shift in priorities. According to Feinberg, many agents who previously worked on national security threats are now being reassigned to assist with immigration enforcement and ICE operations. He warned that this comes at a cost: “If agents are being pulled to work immigration, that means they’re not working counterterrorism, white collar crime, or public corruption.”
Feinberg emphasized that while a president has the right to set law enforcement priorities, the lack of strategic planning and open conversation about resource allocation is leaving serious threats unaddressed. “You can’t spin up a counterintelligence investigation overnight,” he said. “These are long-term efforts, and we’re losing the capacity to respond.”
He also criticized DOJ leadership, saying there has been a clear decline in interest in white collar and public corruption cases. “The Department has made it clear that white collar enforcement isn’t a priority anymore. Entire sections have been gutted.”
Describing Patel and Bongino’s management style, Feinberg said, “The conspiracy theories, the rants about the deep state—that’s not just talk for the cameras. That’s really how they think.” He noted that some senior FBI officials now avoid one-on-one meetings with either leader, preferring to have witnesses or records of any interaction to protect themselves.
“This isn’t how a professional law enforcement agency should operate,” Feinberg said. “We’re supposed to follow facts and protect the country—not operate in fear or serve a political agenda.”
Feinberg’s account paints a troubling picture of a politicized and unstable FBI leadership. His warning is clear: America’s top law enforcement agency is losing experienced professionals, and the consequences could be felt across national security, public safety, and the rule of law.