Trump administration tightens grip on FBI and DOJ leadership

In a series of unprecedented moves, President Donald Trump's administration is reshaping the leadership of the FBI and DOJ, raising concerns about the erosion of these agencies' traditional independence.​

On his recent confirmation as FBI Director, Kash Patel sought direct communication with President Trump, according to the Wall Street Journal, bypassing established protocols that typically limit direct contact between the FBI Director and the President. This deviation from tradition underscores the administration's intent to exert greater control over the bureau's operations. ​

The appointment of Dan Bongino, a fervent Trump supporter with no prior FBI experience, as Deputy Director further signals a shift toward politicization within the agency, as noted by Time. Meanwhile Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has orchestrated the dismissal of career prosecutors involved in investigations related to the January 6 Capitol attack, per the AP. This move aligns with a broader strategy to remove officials deemed insufficiently loyal to the President, raising alarms about the potential undermining of judicial impartiality.