MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Tuesday had to retract an eyebrow-raising assertion made the week before regarding FBI Director Kash Patel.
On Friday’s broadcast of the morning program, Frank Figliuzzi, a former assistant director at the FBI, said that Patel was seen partying more frequently than working at the office.
“Reportedly, he’s been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building,” Figliuzzi told “Morning Joe” co-host Jonathan Lemire. “And there are reports that daily briefings to him have been changed from every day to maybe twice-weekly.”
Figliuzzi, a national security analyst and well-known anti-Trump talking head for MSNBC, claimed that his contacts at the FBI told him the agency was in a state of “chaos.”
“People don’t know what’s happening from day-to-day,” he added.
Figliuzzi’s remarks were covered by many media publications last week. On Monday’s episode, Lemire used the opportunity to recant his words.
“Frank Figliuzzi was on that hour, discussing the work of administration officials,” Lemire began, referring to Friday’s “Morning Joe.”
“At the end of that segment, Figliuzzi said that FBI Director Kash Patel has been more visible at nightclubs than the FBI headquarters. This was a misstatement. We have not verified that claim,” Lemire said.
This comes as the FBI is putting up a multi-agency security team to safeguard Deputy Director Dan Bongino 24 hours a day, including within agency headquarters.
Bongino would be the first deputy director to have such a detail, which may need up to 20 agents, according to the article.
Last week, the FBI sent a canvas to agents, asking for volunteers to take time off from their regular responsibilities to protect Bongino as part of a “temporary duty assignment,” which meant that various sets of agents would rotate.
Bongino took to X, formerly known as Twitter, last month to provide an update on the FBI and what might be coming next.
“Headed back to DC today after spending a day back home with my wife and daughter. As I dive back into work, I want to reassure you that nothing that is happening here is happening by accident. Because of the sensitivity of what the FBI deals with, both the Director and I have to be circumspect in what we can make public. Bad guys read this stuff too. Neither one of us came here to play games,” Bongino wrote.
“Measure us by results. You will see them. But just because you don’t see something happening right this second, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. I’ll conclude by stating that not every result is going to please everyone. That’s just pandering, it’s not leadership. Complex problems require diligence and a reform-oriented process to create lasting changes. Or else you’re simply putting a bandage on a gushing wound. Let’s do it right. God bless America, and all those who defend Her,” he added.
In a second tweet, Bognino declared, “I’d like to add this: Your comments and criticisms are not only welcome, but they’re helpful. We work for you, the American people. Your feedback is invaluable. All I ask is that you consider the following feedback to the feedback. When you see something happen, and the entire story isn’t public, and the underlying facts aren’t all public, it may appear counterintuitive to our reform agenda.”
“I promise you, it’s not an accident. Ask yourself, why I would sign on to something like this otherwise. Is it a desire to be wealthy, famous, ‘connected,’ or to be a future lobbyist? If that sounds ridiculous, it’s because it is,” Bongino said in a series of tweets to supporters on X, formerly known as Twitter.
