The Threat
How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump
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4.3 • 449 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Washington Post Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
On March 16, 2018, just twenty-six hours before his scheduled retirement from the organization he had served with distinction for more than two decades, Andrew G. McCabe was fired from his position as deputy director of the FBI. President Donald Trump celebrated on Twitter: "Andrew McCabe FIRED, a great day for the hard working men and women of the FBI - A great day for Democracy."
In The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump, Andrew G. McCabe offers a dramatic and candid account of his career, and an impassioned defense of the FBI's agents, and of the institution's integrity and independence in protecting America and upholding our Constitution.
McCabe started as a street agent in the FBI's New York field office, serving under director Louis Freeh. He became an expert in two kinds of investigations that are critical to American national security: Russian organized crime—which is inextricably linked to the Russian state—and terrorism. Under Director Robert Mueller, McCabe led the investigations of major attacks on American soil, including the Boston Marathon bombing, a plot to bomb the New York subways, and several narrowly averted bombings of aircraft. And under James Comey, McCabe was deeply involved in the controversial investigations of the Benghazi attack, the Clinton Foundation's activities, and Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server when she was secretary of state.
The Threat recounts in compelling detail the time between Donald Trump's November 2016 election and McCabe's firing, set against a page-turning narrative spanning two decades when the FBI's mission shifted to a new goal: preventing terrorist attacks on Americans. But as McCabe shows, right now the greatest threat to the United States comes from within, as President Trump and his administration ignore the law, attack democratic institutions, degrade human rights, and undermine the U.S. Constitution that protects every citizen.
Important, revealing, and powerfully argued, The Threat tells the true story of what the FBI is, how it works, and why it will endure as an institution of integrity that protects America.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This polished combination career retrospective, manifesto about the FBI's value, and rebuttal to Donald Trump's smears tells former FBI director McCabe's side of the story. The narrative toggles between stirring descriptions of McCabe's career as an FBI agent (one of what he calls the "t-crossing, i-dotting, shoe-leather-destroying beasts") and his stint as acting FBI director after President Trump fired James Comey, concluding that the "work of the FBI is being undermined by the current president." Highlights of McCabe's career include taking down Russian mobsters (teeing him up for commentary about interference in the 2016 election), tracking down terrorists, and responding to the Boston Marathon bombing. Of those in Trump's administration, McCabe describes attorney general Jeff Sessions as obsessed with finding a nonexistent "immigration angle" on counterterrorism and, worse still, berating the FBI for things that were actually the Justice Department's remit; he also recounts deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein's agitated denials that firing Comey was his idea. The account is laced with sharp, amusing characterizations (special counsel Robert Mueller "is not and I think he would admit this, probably while feigning slight resistance for comic effect Mr. Casual") and pleasingly idiosyncratic turns of phrase ("a clownfish-crammed saltwater aquarium of a situation"). McCabe comes off as levelheaded and principled; while his views about the "danger" posed by digital privacy protections may put off some readers, fans of police procedurals will love his descriptions of FBI culture, and critics of the current administration will find his denouncements satisfying. This is one of the better Trump-related tell-alls.
Customer Reviews
Readable and educating
I didn’t really know what to expect when I bought this book and opened it. But I got a highly useful insight into how the modern-day FBI works and how cases are investigated. McCabe doesn’t feel like any AG the FBI worked with was perfect, but his disdain for the ineptitude of the current administration is clear and his examples damning. If you want to understand some of the basics of investigating racketeering, terrorism and public officials, this book is for you.
Matter of fact, nonpartisan, fascinating
This book provides fascinating insight into FBI operations. Well written yet accessible to readers. Don’t let partisan politics keep you from reading this book. McCabe presents facts and allows the reader to draw their own fair conclusions.
An Inspiration
This is a great read and I recommended it highly to every American. It provides a wonderful insight into how our premier law enforcement agency works and why we have much to be proud of that men like Andrew McCabe choose the FBI. As one of those countless Americans living my life in this great country, Thank You for your service and writing this book. God bless you, your wife Jill, and all your family.