From Mar‑a‑Lago to Moscow: how Trump’s FBI chief is shredding allies’ faith in US intelligence

The FBI chief Kash Patel is heading to Moscow, according to a well-sourced but unconfirmed report, where he is to be hosted by the Russian security service, the FSB. Nothing wrong with that in principle: under the previous administration the then CIA chief Bill Burns regularly acted as message-carrier to the Kremlin. But news of the visit comes as allies’ trust in American spookdom is hitting new lows. One reason is the FBI chief himself. His notoriously thin-skinned, self-important and bombastic behaviour includes a resolute refusal to admit that Russia interferes in the US political system. This is troubling, given that the FBI is not just a law-enforcement agency: it is also responsible for catching spies and foiling foreign governments’ influence operations inside the US. The former director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, took a similarly bizarre position, at least in public. Her temporary replacement by the spectacularly ill-qualified Bill Pulte did nothing to soothe allies’ nerves. (A far more solid nominee, Jay Clayton, is expected to be confirmed soon). President Donald Trump himself sets the tone in this pattern of capricious, Kremlin-friendly leadership. His careless handling of classified information features storing it insecurely in his Mar-a-Lago bedroom or just blurting out secrets to visitors, including Russians. To read this story, log in or subscribeEnjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.Read without limitsAlready a subscriber? Login