Thread by @jeffreycortese

1/19
FBI Thread:

I spent a lot of time over the last couple weeks discussing my #corruption book and rehashing recent FBI leadership missteps. Specifically those that set in motion a series of events that could only end with a reckoning of the #FBI.

2/19 It’s a frustrating conversation because I loved my time at the FBI and respect so many who continue to do great work there on behalf of the American people. But these leadership mistakes were obvious and avoidable. What decisions were glaringly obvious mistakes?

3/19
1. #AndrewMcCabe, whose wife ran for elected office, being selected DD of FBI;

2. Counterintell program being selected to work high profile investigations that could result in criminal charges against high profile elected officials;

3. The #JamesComey press conference.

4/19
In each of these instances I could only throw my hands up in dismay as I was in no position to be heard. Any agent who keenly understood the significance of perception and viewed these moments objectively would see the catastrophic inevitability of them all.

5/19
What made them obvious blunders?
1. When I learned from a colleague McCabe was selected, I voiced my objection: “he’s undoubtedly in fundraising photos with people we are, or will be, investigating, and one or more of them won’t be charged for legit reasons…

6/19
…the public will find out the person was investigated and not charged and it will appear as though McCabe intervened for political purposes. It’s definitely going to happen and it’s going to be bad when it does.”

7/19
McCabe could’ve done everything by the book (which we learned later her didn’t), and the outcome would’ve been exactly the same. He never should have been selected because of his wife’s political aspirations...it was obvious and avoidable.

8/19
The deputy director position isn’t so important that it justifies putting someone in that role whose mere living situation could compromise a public corruption investigation or even put in question the integrity of the FBI.

9/19
And this was assuming McCabe was the perfect DD and did the job right. It was a horrible decision and suggested serious critical thinking and public corruption perception deficiencies existed within leadership.

10/19
2. The problem with counterintell working these investigations was threefold: 1.) Lack of trial experience 2.) Lack of experience dealing with high profile public officials in a criminal capacity, 3. They’re complete lack of self awareness as it relates to both 1 and 2.

11/19
The secrecy of their day-to-day includes rarely having to publicly support or defend their investigative or operational activities publicly. This fact alone makes them vulnerable to taking “liberties” to achieve a desired outcome.

12/19
And if there’s any doubt about that, you need look no further than #PeterStrzok. He was totally unqualified for these situations as evidenced by his communications with Lisa Page. Yes, you can have political opinions and still conduct an objective investigation, but…

13/19
…his problem was his inexperience. His politically charged text exchanges with Lisa Page on FBI phones were not just stupid and embarrassing, but they made clear he didn’t understand basic rules of discovery and wasn’t accustomed to investigative oversight.

14/19
It also explains the abysmal manner in which they handled the high profile interviews and the evidence collection process. Criminal agents, let alone public corruption agents, would have handled these investigations differently.

15/19
I am not saying the outcome would be different, but the process would have been a lot less damaging to the FBI just because they knew how to handle these situations.

(To be clear, counterintel has first right of refusal given they are the higher priority program.)

16/19
3. Finally, Comey’s #HillaryClinton press conference was an incredible miscalculation (made worse by so many other things he did after). He brought the public into an investigation in a way never before done.

17/19
In doing so, he compromised the integrity of the investigation (and future investigations). Maintaining the integrity of an investigation doesn’t just protect the investigation and the investigating agency, it protects the innocent.

18/19
In this country it’s innocent until proven guilty. Charge or don’t, but don’t do what Comey did. The public can hear about our evidence if and when we go to trial. This was a horrible violation of an understood Bureau-ism and it said a lot about the prudence of leadership.

19/19
Sadly, there are those in the FBI who still defend the above decisions. I am not sure why…though I have my theories. But, candidly, I question the decision making abilities of anyone in the FBI who doesn’t see the above as severely problematic and predictable.