Former FBI director under Donald Trump criticized a TV news network by calling it an “a** clown factory” in an erratic online outburst. Kash Patel, who now oversees the FBI for Trump, objected to a story on MSNBC regarding an agent’s dismissal for refusing to help organize a “perp walk” of ex-director James Comey. The FBI, at Trump’s behest, is pursuing Comey for alleged false statements to Congress.
Reports suggest that FBI leadership sought a dramatic arrest of Trump’s adversary, Comey, aiming for a high-profile display. They supposedly requested robust agents equipped in full FBI gear, including Kevlar vests with the agency’s logo. When Chris Ray, a supervisory special agent, was tasked with assembling the team, he declined, deeming it inappropriate for a white-collar defendant like Comey.
CBS reported that Ray was suspended for insubordination. MSNBC’s legal analyst Barb McQuade mentioned that Department of Justice policy prohibits “perp walks,” where arrestees are paraded before cameras. Patel seemingly affirmed the story of Agent Ray’s removal with a sensational and inaccurate social media post.
“MSNBC remains an a** clown factory of disinformation,” Patel stated, also criticizing the network’s viewership and accuracy. He emphasized the importance of following the chain of command within the FBI.
Contrary to Patel’s claims, “perp walks” are pre-planned media events capturing detainees in police custody en route to a station or courthouse. Of the individuals Patel referenced, only one, Peter Navarro, faced arrest but not a perp walk. Navarro was apprehended at an airport after defying a subpoena, not paraded before cameras. He was later convicted and sentenced to jail.
Roger Stone and Steve Bannon, other figures mentioned by Patel, were not perp walked by the FBI either. Stone’s arrest was captured by a CNN crew at his house, while Bannon faced charges unrelated to FBI perp walks.
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In summary, the FBI’s involvement in perp walks and high-profile arrests has sparked debate, with conflicting narratives emerging from different sources. The intricacies of these events continue to unfold amidst political tensions and legal proceedings.