Retired FBI profiler James Fitzgerald joined Chicago’s Morning Answer for a sweeping discussion on law enforcement credibility, presidential fitness, and federal government transparency. A central topic was the recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing—largely boycotted by Democrats—convened to explore allegations of a coordinated effort to cover up President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline during his time in office.
Fitzgerald, best known for his work on the Unabomber case and for his portrayal in the series Manhunt, was candid in his assessment of the FBI’s role. He criticized current Director Christopher Wray for, in his view, continuing the trend of politically compromised leadership at the Bureau. Referencing the now-infamous FBI memo targeting traditionalist Catholic communities, Fitzgerald questioned how such a document could circulate through multiple FBI divisions and be viewed by as many as a thousand employees without raising red flags or triggering meaningful action.
Fitzgerald argued that the FBI—and other institutions—were complicit in sustaining the image of President Biden’s competence long after internal actors likely knew otherwise. He described the widespread use of the president’s autopen signature as a troubling symbol of that disconnect. In particular, he pointed to the pardon of Leonard Peltier, convicted in the 1975 killing of two FBI agents, as an action he had long predicted would come on Biden’s final day in office.
Addressing concerns about foreign election interference, Fitzgerald referenced an intelligence report disclosed by Kash Patel, alleging that the Chinese Communist Party had mass-produced fake driver’s licenses intended to facilitate fraudulent mail-in voting in the 2020 election. Customs and Border Protection reportedly intercepted around 20,000 fake IDs, yet the matter was not pursued further at the time. Fitzgerald suggested that, much like the Hunter Biden laptop controversy, certain stories were quietly shelved for political reasons.
Fitzgerald voiced his support for renewed investigations into such matters, praising Patel’s efforts and highlighting the need for accountability. He noted that a group of retired FBI agents, including himself, had signed a letter endorsing Patel’s work.
Turning to immigration enforcement, Fitzgerald addressed recent claims by Democratic politicians that federal agencies are rounding up U.S. citizens in mass raids. He dismissed the accusations as political theater, stating that while occasional errors can occur during enforcement actions, there is no evidence of American citizens being systematically detained or deported. He also criticized comparisons of ICE agents to Gestapo forces, warning that such rhetoric can incite real-world violence against law enforcement officers.
Fitzgerald said he has seen signs that the FBI is refocusing on its core mission, particularly in violent crime reduction. He confirmed that some agents have been redeployed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies in major cities. This, he believes, is contributing to the declining national murder rate—a trend he called a “great new beginning” for the Bureau.
Before signing off, Fitzgerald discussed his upcoming memoir, Journey to the Center of the Mind: Book Four, which chronicles the final decade of his FBI career and his post-retirement work. The book is slated for release in July and includes cases involving stalking, international investigations, and his response to false media portrayals. He credited Chicago’s Morning Answer producer Keith Conrad for his contributions to the audiobook edition.
Fitzgerald also hosts the Cold Red podcast, available on Spotify and Apple, where he continues to explore criminal cases, law enforcement challenges, and national security threats.