FBI Director Kash Patel has initiated an investigation into former Director James Comey following allegations that the bureau placed undercover agents inside Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. A whistleblower’s testimony to the House Judiciary Committee revealed that Comey personally approved the covert operation, which was allegedly conducted outside of normal FBI procedures.
According to the whistleblower, two female FBI agents were inserted into Trump’s campaign under false pretenses. These operatives, referred to as “honeypots,” were reportedly tasked with establishing relationships with Trump’s team to gather intelligence. The operation was allegedly authorized in 2015, a year before the bureau launched its official investigation into supposed Russian interference.
BREAKING: The FBI has launched an investigation into former FBI Director James Comey for his "honeypot" operation targeting Trump in 2016, according to the Washington Times.
The announcement comes just days after Kash Patel was sworn in as the new FBI director.
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— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 25, 2025
Comey’s former deputies, Dave Bowdich and Paul Abbate, are also named in the whistleblower’s disclosure as officials who assisted in running the operation. The effort was reportedly abandoned after media outlets began investigating one of the agents involved.
Patel, who took over as FBI director last week, has stated his intention to restore trust in the agency and remove political influence from its investigations. Though he had previously said he would not look into past officials, the seriousness of these claims has led him to review Comey’s alleged actions.
The investigation is separate from the Crossfire Hurricane probe, which was used to justify surveillance on Trump campaign aide Carter Page. Patel’s team is now working to determine whether Comey’s reported operation violated bureau regulations or federal law.
The FBI has not issued an official statement, and Comey has not responded to the accusations. Patel’s investigation signals a shift in the agency’s direction as it moves to hold past leadership accountable for potential abuses of power.
