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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 195

Shake Up

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 195: Shake Up

Kash Patel Broke Pledge to Head of MI5

November 10, 2025 · 8:37 am ET · Leave a Comment

New York Times: “British security officials rely on the bureau for high-tech surveillance tools — the kind they might need to monitor a new embassy that China wants to build near the Tower of London. The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, asked Mr. Patel to protect the job of an F.B.I. agent based in London who dealt with that technology, according to several current and former U.S. officials with knowledge of the episode.”

“Mr. Patel agreed to find funding to keep the posting, the officials said. But the job had already been slated to disappear as the White House moved to slash the FBI budget. The agent moved to a different job back in the United States, saving the F.B.I. money but leaving MI5 officials incredulous.”

“It was a jarring introduction to Mr. Patel’s leadership style for British officials.”

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