Ex-FBI official says GOP is telling agents: "If you investigate our party, you are going to pay the price'

Former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi wasn't happy after watching Republicans grill FBI director Christopher Wray in the House Wednesday.

While Democrats questioned Wray for ignoring warnings about Jan. 6, Republicans sought answers to a slew of conspiracy theories and culture war grievances that go all the way back to mask requirements during the COVID crisis.

"Look, I understand that many Americans will see this as nothing more than political theater," Figliuzzi said on MSNBC. "Yes, there's an element of that. What I'm seeing is actually far worse than mere political theater. I see a strategy here. A strategy to enact death by a thousand cuts to some of our key institutions. It's not just the FBI. It's not just the DOJ. It's a larger strategy to cause Americans to distrust the institutions that actually represent the values of democracy."

He explained that what FBI rank-and-file agents will see from the hearing is doing their jobs will still face consequences if they investigate Republicans.

"If you investigate our party, you are going to pay the price. We will suggest de-funding you, breaking you up, impeaching your director," he continued. "There's something more nefarious than just political theater. The FBI is really about protecting communities. Over 200,000 violent predators and hundreds of sex trafficking victims recovered. That's what is under attack. It defies logic."

Turning the FBI into a political agency is part of the GOP strategy, he explained. He mentioned Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) who walked through a slate of questions about Donald Trump's own appointees and Republican leaders who have worked to bring down many of the people that the House Republicans take issue with.

"All the people that have been investigated, arrested, and convicted around Trump have had that happen to them under an FBI director that was appointed by Trump," he explained. "Under attorneys general that were appointed by Trump. It defies logic. People seem to be buying into this myth. It undermines the mission of the men and women who come to work every day simply trying to make our communities safer."

See the full commentary in the video below or at the link here.

Ex FBI official says GOP’s message to agents is if you attack Republicans they’ll come after you www.youtube.com