Latest news with #Ex-FBI
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Former FBI Director Comey takes dig at Kash Patel, explains controversial Trump post
Former FBI Director Comey takes dig at Kash Patel, explains controversial Trump post Show Caption Hide Caption Secret Service investigating ex-FBI chief James Comey's '8647' post Ex-FBI Director James Comey posted an image of the numbers '8647,' sparking outrage as some saw it as a call for violence. Former FBI Director James Comey aired his "doubts" about the current bureau leadership, Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, in a televised interview after his own recent dust-up related to President Donald Trump. "There are lots of people in the FBI who know what they're doing," Comey said in a May 28 interview with CNN. "I hope these two guys are letting them guide them." Comey has been a fierce adversary of Trump since the commander-in-chief fired him in 2017. Pressed by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer on whether he felt Patel and Bongino, both Trump picks, were capable of steering the FBI, Comey was clear: "Nothing in their life or their career gives me confidence that they know anything about leading an organization like that." Comey criticized a recent announcement by Bongino that the bureau would be zeroing in on three cases of "potential public corruption," including the discovery of cocaine in the White House in 2023 and the 2022 leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. "It's a little confusing to me, honestly. I'm sure it's a huge adjustment to go from being a podcaster to being the deputy director of the FBI," Comey said, taking a swipe at Bongino's previous career as a conservative talk show host. Supreme Court Marshal Gail Curley investigated the leaked opinion at the time of the incident, Comey said, adding, "I don't know what the FBI's role is there." The monthslong investigation concluded in January 2023, with Curley writing in a 20-page report that the source of the leak could not be identified. The Secret Service also failed to uncover the culprit responsible for cocaine found in the White House. The agency closed its investigation after less than two weeks due to "a lack of physical evidence." Former President Joe Biden was away from the White House at the time the illegal drug was found in the West Wing. Comey said the third case on Bongino's list, concerning an unknown suspect who planted pipe bombs near the Republican and Democratic national committees' Washington headquarters on January 6, 2021, was never closed. Yet Bongino's post on X announced that case was part of a new probe. "I also don't understand who the audience is for this tweet," Comey told CNN. Comey noted that while the FBI does ask for public assistance in some cases, "this seems much more narrowly targeted − maybe to a former podcast audience." Since being dismissed by Trump years ago, Comey said he feels like he has a target on his back. "When the president of the United States aims at you, it changes your life in a number of ways," he said. "It causes people to aim at you, aim at your family members, which is my biggest concern." Asked if he is worried about security, Comey told Blitzer, "I am always worried." "I'm a giraffe, so I stick out," said Comey, who is 6'8". More recently, the former FBI director came under fire for a since-deleted social media post showing an image of seashells that spelled out "8647." More: What does 8647 mean? Why James Comey's Instagram post triggered federal response Some interpreted the post as a message of violence. In U.S. slang, the number 86 can be used as code for removing someone, perhaps for disorderly behavior, and 47 is often used to refer to Trump, the 47th president. Comey has called the photo a misunderstanding. "I thought it was a message of political opposition to Donald Trump, done in a very clever way," he said on CNN. "I had never heard − actually still haven't credibly heard − the numbers 86 associated with murder. But if people are going to say that, which never occurred to me, I don't want that on my Instagram post. And so I took it down."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk "Finished," His Close Allies Admit
Elon Musk's time within the government has seemingly expired, and some Republicans couldn't be happier. "He's finished, done, gone," one GOP official, who was granted anonymity by Politico to talk trash, said of Musk. "He polls terrible. People hate him." That operative and others like him are already dancing on the unelected billionaire's grave. As the magazine found in a social media analysis, Musk is now persona non grata for Republicans. After a big spike in late January of Musk-related content from accounts linked to the Trump administration, mentions of the billionaire have steadily fallen as the backlash against his politicking began in earnest. By April, he was only being mentioned twice a day — and by the time this month began, that number had dropped to one. "The public supported the effort to end wasteful Washington spending, but they did not support the way that it was done," GOP pollster Frank Luntz told the magazine. "His mission to cut the waste from Washington was certainly helpful, but the language he used wasn't." Polls across the political spectrum show that although Trump's approval rating has been leveling out, people have soured tremendously on Musk. Musk's sudden silence on political matters underscores a growing disillusionment and a realization that his time leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency may have been a failure. It's possible the writing was already on the wall, inspiring the billionaire to leave a government in tatters behind to refocus his efforts on his ailing businesses instead. Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, Republicans who spoke to Politico on the record chose their words carefully when asked about the increasingly unpopular multi-hyphenate who ushered Trump back into office. "Those polls on favorability basically tell you Elon's doing a great job when he's on the inside," leveled David McIntosh, the CEO of the conservative Club for Growth, in his interview with the magazine. "And hopefully he stays a long time to do that, but doesn't take on this role of a campaign surrogate." The GOP operative who spoke anonymously, meanwhile, had a vastly different take about Musk's campaigning. "He'd go to Wisconsin thinking he can buy people's votes, wear the cheese hat, act like a 9-year-old," the official told Politico, referencing the Wisconsin federal judge race that the Trump-backed candidate may have lost due to Musk's campaign trail antics. "It doesn't work," that operative said. "It's offensive to people." More on Musk's dying political career: Ex-FBI Agent: Elon Musk's Drug Habit Made Him an Easy Target for Russian Spies
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Elon Musk says he's committed to being Tesla CEO even in 5 years' time
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk affirmed on Tuesday that he remained committed to being CEO of Tesla even in five years' time, after the company suffered from attacks following Musk joining the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Donald Trump's administration. During a video appearance at the Qatar Economic Forum, a moderator asked Musk, 'Do you see yourself and are you committed to still being the chief executive of Tesla in five years' time?," to which Musk said yes. Also Read: This Indian-origin CFO's salary was higher than Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella in 2024 Musk also said that he had contributed enough to political campaigns and would spend "a lot less" on them in the future, after providing $270 million for Donald Trump's 2024 US presidential campaign. 'In terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future. I don't currently see a reason," he said. Also Read: Musk's fondness for sex and drugs made him prime Russian target in blackmail plot: Ex-FBI When asked about why he was shifting his approach, he said, "I think I've done enough.' Musk, who is an advisor for the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), faced backlash regarding cuts made to several government departments which also led to several Tesla vehicles and showrooms being vandalised. Also Read: Indian-origin Tesla VP reveals what it is like to work with Elon Musk: 'He works 80-90 hours per week' After a series of attacks on the vehicles and Tesla shares tanking, protests were also held against the billionaire's role in federal policy-making. In the United States, rallied were carried out near Tesla dealerships in Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Minnesota, and more states, with people raising slogans such as 'Burn a Tesla, Save Democracy', 'De-Musk America' and 'Don't Buy Nazi Cars'. In a post on X, Musk post shared a picture of Tesla cars which had been destroyed by a fire in Rome in April and stated that it was an act of terrorism.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
IVF bombing suspect's manifesto was ‘anti-life'
(NewsNation) — Investigators have deemed an explosion at a Southern California fertility clinic an act of terrorism and say the suspect left behind 'anti-life' writings. The suspect has been identified as 25-year-old Guy Bartkus, and he was the lone fatality in the Saturday attack. His alleged motive is linked to an obscure movement that is anti-life and against procreation. Ex-FBI agent: NOLA manhunt 'becomes more difficult' as time passes Soon after the bombing at the Palm Springs, California, fertility clinic, investigators found an online manifesto believed to be linked to Bartkus. The clinic in the Palm Springs attack was closed and sustained significant damage, but operators say all embryos and reproductive material remain fully secured and undamaged. The post revealed extremist views against in vitro fertilization, and says, 'I'm angry that I exist,' and 'nobody got my consent to bring me here.' The author also stated an end goal to 'sterilize this planet of the disease of life.' The FBI confirmed the remains found at the scene of Saturday's bombing belonged to Bartkus. Cassie's friend testifies Diddy 'owned' her during relationship In an exclusive interview with NewsNation affiliate KTLA, the suspect's estranged father described a smart but troubled kid who liked to play with matches. His parents eventually divorced after Bartkus burned down the family home at the age of nine. 'He started a fire by the shed. I came home from work, he was trying to shove it underneath the shed and set the shed on fire, the shed caught the house on fire and burned it down,' said Richard Bartkus. 'I know we hadn't talked in over ten years.' One national security expert told NewsNation that Bartkus' philosophy is one of the strangest domestic terrorist movements he's ever seen. Bartkus apparently described himself as pro-mortalist, a fringe belief that includes a desire to die as soon as possible in order to prevent further suffering. CBS News president steps down amid Trump lawsuit People who are nihilist or anti-natalist believe procreation is unethical, unjustifiable, and that life is meaningless, though the majority do not encourage or condone violence. Guy Bartkus lived in 29 Palms, about an hour away from that fertility clinic. Investigators are still searching his home and digital footprint for any additional evidence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
News18
18-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Russian Spies Targeted Elon Musk Using Sex And Drugs, Putin Involved: Ex-FBI Agent
Last Updated: Ex-FBI agent asserted that Elon Musk, along with PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, came under Russian scrutiny following the onset of the war in Ukraine. A former FBI counterintelligence agent claimed that Russian intelligence targeted Elon Musk for potential blackmail, exploiting his alleged interest in sex and drugs. The allegations, made by Jonathan Buma, were featured in a documentary broadcast by German broadcaster ZDF. Jonathan Buma asserted that Elon Musk, along with PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, came under Russian scrutiny following the onset of the war in Ukraine. According to Jonathan Buma, Russian spies gathered sensitive information that could be used to influence or coerce them. He said in the documentary, 'Musk's susceptibility to promiscuous women and drug use, particularly ketamine were seen by Russian intelligence as an opportunity for an agent to exploit." He further alleged that Elon Musk's involvement in events like Burning Man, adult entertainment, and gambling increased his vulnerability to such espionage tactics. Jonathan Buma, who served 16 years with the FBI, was arrested in March on charges of leaking classified information to a publishing house. He was indicted on one count of 'Disclosure of Confidential Information" and subsequently released on $100,000 bail. Jonathan Buma claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was aware of the alleged plot. 'The agents would not have gotten involved in the blackmail plot had the Russian president not known about the action and approved it," he said. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin have been in contact since 2022, the year Russia invaded Ukraine. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 18, 2025, 16:27 IST
