America's media, the New York Times, published an article on July 10 local time, revealing that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has recently significantly increased polygraph tests for its internal staff. Some FBI employees were even specifically asked whether they had made negative comments about the current director, Kash Patel. If an employee is found to have made negative comments about Patel or his deputy Dan Bongino, they may face job reassignment or termination. The report stated that this move broke the FBI's previous practice of using polygraphs only to identify individuals suspected of "treason" or those who could not keep secrets.

The New York Times cited several informed sources, stating that in order to investigate who leaked the information that "Patel requested to be equipped with a gun," the FBI required dozens of officials to undergo polygraph tests. During the polygraph tests, the FBI asked senior staff if they had ever spoken ill of Patel. It is currently unclear how many people were asked such questions.

The New York Times pointed out that this move is seen as part of the FBI's intensified efforts to combat leaks, but it also reflects Patel's high sensitivity to his personal image. Several former FBI officials said these measures are highly political, emphasizing the requirement for personal "loyalty" and leaving almost no room for internal dissent. A former official said that if an FBI employee makes negative comments about Patel or his deputy Bongino, they may lose their job. Many former FBI officials believe that these polygraph questions themselves are absurd. "Who hasn't complained about their boss?" said one former FBI official.

"An FBI employee's loyalty should be to the Constitution, not to the director or deputy director," said James Davidson, a former FBI agent who worked for 23 years. "This is enough to show the fragility of Director Patel, because such questions have become his main concern."

Regarding this, the FBI declined to comment, citing "personnel matters and internal discussions."

February 21, 2025, US President Trump met with new FBI Director Kash Patel. IC photo

The report noted that although American courts typically do not accept polygraph results as evidence, American national security agencies still widely use polygraphs during background checks and security clearance reviews. Sources said that under Patel and Bongino's leadership, the FBI has been more proactive in using polygraphs. Many employees required to take the tests witnessed colleagues being fired, forced to resign, or demoted. According to one source, the FBI suspended an agent first, then called him back for a polygraph test. Some current and former officials believe these measures are retaliatory and extreme, leading to distrust among colleagues, with many believing there are people within the FBI who like to "snitch."

Michael Feinberg, a senior special agent at the FBI's Norfolk office in Virginia, said he was asked to take a polygraph test this spring because of his friendship with Peter Strzok, a senior official in the FBI's counterintelligence department. Strzok had previously been fired for sending text messages mocking Trump. Feinberg said his supervisor in the Norfolk office asked him to take a "polygraph test" to determine the nature of his friendship with Strzok, and he eventually resigned before taking the test.

Feinberg said that in order to keep his job, he "had to grovel, beg for forgiveness, and swear allegiance." He wrote, "Under Patel and Bongino's leadership, professional expertise and operational capabilities are often sacrificed for ideological purity and a continuously politicized work culture."

The New York Times analysis pointed out that as a well-known figure in the MAGA movement, current FBI Director Kash Patel and current Deputy Director Dan Bongino were both appointed by US President Trump, further strengthening their control over the FBI. Multiple employees, including senior officials and experienced staff, have been dismissed or placed on administrative leave, while others have left voluntarily due to fear of retaliation. According to the media's statistics, since US President Trump returned to power, approximately 40% of senior agents in FBI field offices have retired, been dismissed, or transferred to other positions. This includes several senior FBI leaders.

Last week, the New York Times published an editorial criticizing Patel and his deputy Bongino for trying to turn the FBI into an instrument of Trump's agenda. In response, Bongino called the report "an attack article lacking thoughtful consideration," but admitted that he and Patel have indeed carried out some "personnel changes" and "comprehensive restructuring."

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