During a Fox News interview on ‘Sunday Morning Futures’ with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Patel detailed the Bureau’s commitment to restoring public confidence after enduring extensive criticism regarding its dealings with influential Democratic figures, speculations surrounding January 6th, and notorious inquiries into President Donald Trump.
Notably, Patel’s disclosure regarding the FBI’s role in initiating Crossfire Hurricane, the investigation into Trump’s supposed collusion with Russia, led him to believe that the government has consistently been ‘weaponized’ against Clinton’s adversaries.
He stated to host Maria Bartiromo, ‘You inquired at the outset about the weaponization of the FBI. The FBI has usurped the constitutional duties of the Department of Justice and the Attorney General, with James Comey and others making specific decisions regarding which cases to pursue and which to dismiss.
If you doubt this, refer to the recordings from the Hillary Clinton investigation.’ ‘We do not make prosecutorial decisions, nor do any agents or intelligence analysts. We have excellent collaboration with Attorney General [Pam] Bondi and engage in discussions with them, but the authority to decide on prosecutions rests with them,’ he added.
Patel also indicated that the FBI will soon provide a public account of the efforts made by former agents to propagate the unfounded allegation that President Trump colluded with Russian operatives to sway the 2016 election.
The previous leadership structure was characterized by vindictiveness and malice. They not only corrupted the FISA process and deceived the American public, but also concealed and stored documentation in inaccessible areas,” Patel stated. “It is fortunate that we are now in a position to rectify these issues, and you can expect a significant increase in transparency shortly… Please allow us a week or two,” Patel continued during his comments.
In a separate part of the interview, Patel and Bongino provided new insights regarding the suicide of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in August 2019 while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
At that time, reports indicated that Epstein was discovered unresponsive in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City, hanging from the side of his bed with a bedsheet around his neck. After guards performed CPR, Epstein was taken to New York Downtown Hospital, where he was later declared dead that evening.
The medical examiner of New York City, along with the Inspector General of the Justice Department, concluded that Epstein’s death was a suicide by hanging. Initially expressing skepticism, then-Attorney General William Barr later described the incident as ‘a perfect storm of errors’ following investigations by both the FBI and the Justice Department into Epstein’s demise.
Epstein had connections with notable figures such as former President Bill Clinton, former MIT professor Noam Chomsky, and Prince Andrew, which led to immediate suspicions regarding the timing and circumstances of his death.
In a comprehensive interview with Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo, both Patel and Bongino reiterated the statements made by the DOJ and FBI in previous discussions, asserting that Epstein took his own life while incarcerated.
Patel, drawing from his experience as a public defender and prosecutor within the prison system, including time spent at the Metropolitan Detention Center and in segregated housing, stated, ‘You recognize a suicide when you encounter one, and that is precisely what occurred.’
He also acknowledged that those who hold differing views are entitled to their perspectives. Bongino interjected, affirming, ‘He committed suicide. I have reviewed the entire file. He took his own life.’
