In a political landscape already fraught with tension, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton's remarks on CNN add fuel to the fire, painting a dramatic picture of potential upheaval within federal agencies as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. The congressman’s assertion that "thousands" of federal employees may resign by January underscores a growing sense of unease in Washington as Trump announces his controversial cabinet nominations.
The reported resignation of FBI Director Christopher Wray appears to epitomize this unease. Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017, is said to have stepped down to avoid being fired as Trump prepares to install Kash Patel as his replacement.
Patel’s nomination has sparked sharp criticism, with opponents accusing Trump of intending to politicize the FBI, undermining its mission as an impartial law enforcement agency.
Moulton did not mince words in expressing his concerns, suggesting that Trump’s vision for the FBI harks back to the era of J. Edgar Hoover. “Trump wants to politicize the FBI, to turn it back to the days of J. Edgar Hoover, where the FBI has its own really lawless agenda,” Moulton said.
This accusation aligns with broader Democratic apprehensions that Trump’s appointments aim to weaponize federal agencies to serve partisan goals, rather than uphold the rule of law.
The congressman’s remarks reflect the anxiety permeating not just the FBI, but the federal workforce at large. According to Moulton, public servants are grappling with whether to resign preemptively, remain in their roles until forced out, or depart when faced with ethical dilemmas under the incoming administration. Such resignations could severely disrupt the functioning of federal agencies and erode institutional stability at a critical juncture.
Trump’s choice of Patel as FBI director exemplifies this contentious strategy, according to critics. Patel, known for his loyalty to Trump and controversial role as chief of staff to former acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, is viewed as a polarizing figure. Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe has voiced concerns that Patel’s appointment could signal Trump’s intent to “disrupt,” “dismantle,” and “distract” the bureau, further politicizing an agency already under intense scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Trump remains unrepentant, casting Wray’s resignation as a triumph against what he terms the “weaponization” of the Department of Justice. On Truth Social, Trump declared the resignation a “great day for America,” reinforcing his narrative that the FBI and DOJ have been complicit in political bias during his first term.