Douglas M. Charles, PhD
@dmcharles.bsky.social
Professor of history (FBI expert), Tae Kwon Do black belt, poker player, bicyclist, skier, travel, animals.
I’ve written 4 books on the FBI, currently finishing a history of the FBI, 1908-1945. Also working on a history of Tae Kwon Do in North America.
I’ve written 4 books on the FBI, currently finishing a history of the FBI, 1908-1945. Also working on a history of Tae Kwon Do in North America.
Pinned
History is repeating itself at the FBI as agents resist a director’s political agenda
FBI director Kash Patel says he is making the bureau more accountable. Critics charge him with purging it of anyone not perceived as loyal to President Trump.
theconversation.com
My latest comparative historical OpEd is out! A lot of research went into this.
Kash Patel vs FBI Director L. Patrick Gray (1972-73).
theconversation.com/history-is-r...
Kash Patel vs FBI Director L. Patrick Gray (1972-73).
theconversation.com/history-is-r...
And then you'll dump his tray during lunch at high school?
November 26, 2025 at 1:11 AM
And then you'll dump his tray during lunch at high school?
Imagine being a serious FBI agent & you’re sent to do this work that is nothing but pure intimidation.
The FBI has requested interviews with six Democrats regarding their video, which reminds troops to follow the Constitution.
The Trump administration saw the now-infamous video as treasonous, called for them to be hanged, and is weighing court-martialing Sen. Mark Kelly. trib.al/ELXKBpd
The Trump administration saw the now-infamous video as treasonous, called for them to be hanged, and is weighing court-martialing Sen. Mark Kelly. trib.al/ELXKBpd
November 25, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Imagine being a serious FBI agent & you’re sent to do this work that is nothing but pure intimidation.
Of course.
When does the best Econ data put out turn into pure propaganda? The CDC is there already
When does the best Econ data put out turn into pure propaganda? The CDC is there already
The president has now blocked three economic data reports. Does he think this is somehow a *good* sign for the economy? trib.al/4GF0dvo
Trump Cancels Release of Crucial Economic Report to Hide His Failures
Donald Trump has now blocked three economic data reports.
trib.al
November 25, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Of course.
When does the best Econ data put out turn into pure propaganda? The CDC is there already
When does the best Econ data put out turn into pure propaganda? The CDC is there already
Patel is goofy & incompetent. But he does Trump’s political bidding.
Gotta wonder when Trump sees him as not looking the role, cos that is how that simpleton thinks.
Gotta wonder when Trump sees him as not looking the role, cos that is how that simpleton thinks.
Now, three anonymous sources have told MS NOW that Patel has drawn Trump’s ire for his presumptuous social media posts during ongoing cases, using a gov't jet for a date night, and assigning a SWAT team for his girlfriend. newrepublic.com/post/203673/...
Trump Secretly Considering Firing Kash Patel as Blunders Pile Up
Donald Trump seems to have had enough of Kash Patel and his negative headlines. Here’s who could replace him as FBI director.
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Patel is goofy & incompetent. But he does Trump’s political bidding.
Gotta wonder when Trump sees him as not looking the role, cos that is how that simpleton thinks.
Gotta wonder when Trump sees him as not looking the role, cos that is how that simpleton thinks.
Another dogshit case. Say how it works in the military, get investigated.
This is the work of an authoritarian.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
This is the work of an authoritarian.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Pentagon says it will investigate Sen. Mark Kelly after controversial video
The Defense Department announced it would investigate Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) for “serious allegations of misconduct” after his participation in a viral video.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Another dogshit case. Say how it works in the military, get investigated.
This is the work of an authoritarian.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
This is the work of an authoritarian.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
The BEYOND correct thing is to get rid of the spoiled milk. But Democrats, esp the milquetoast brand that come across like droopy dog.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Chuck Schumer Faces Pushback From a ‘Fight Club’ of Senate Democrats
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 AM
The BEYOND correct thing is to get rid of the spoiled milk. But Democrats, esp the milquetoast brand that come across like droopy dog.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Legally Blonde III
November 24, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Legally Blonde III
Marco Rubio has ALWAYS been an empty suit, a stuffed shirt, a poser pretending he knows something about foreign affairs & national security.
He was so desperate to be in such circles, he debased himself to the extreme to serve under Trump. He cares only about his career, but his reputation is 💩.
He was so desperate to be in such circles, he debased himself to the extreme to serve under Trump. He cares only about his career, but his reputation is 💩.
A peace plan being thrust upon Ukraine was actually written by Russia, according to reports, and Marco Rubio is taking heat for confusing messaging.
'Truly bizarre': Critics pounce on 'one of the biggest foreign policy scandals in history'
A peace plan being thrust upon Ukraine was actually written by Russia, according to reports, and Marco Rubio is taking heat for confusing messaging.Foreign affairs and defense correspondent Nick Schifrin reported the news on X:"BREAKING: After talking to @SecRubio, @SenatorRounds announces that the ...
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Marco Rubio has ALWAYS been an empty suit, a stuffed shirt, a poser pretending he knows something about foreign affairs & national security.
He was so desperate to be in such circles, he debased himself to the extreme to serve under Trump. He cares only about his career, but his reputation is 💩.
He was so desperate to be in such circles, he debased himself to the extreme to serve under Trump. He cares only about his career, but his reputation is 💩.
FBI Director Sessions was fired for misusing FBI resources.
And, @nytimes.com , SWAT doesn't rescue hostages. The Hostage Rescue Team does, they are not one & the same. You misread that FBI page.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
And, @nytimes.com , SWAT doesn't rescue hostages. The Hostage Rescue Team does, they are not one & the same. You misread that FBI page.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Patel Under Scrutiny for Use of SWAT Teams to Protect His Girlfriend
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
FBI Director Sessions was fired for misusing FBI resources.
And, @nytimes.com , SWAT doesn't rescue hostages. The Hostage Rescue Team does, they are not one & the same. You misread that FBI page.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
And, @nytimes.com , SWAT doesn't rescue hostages. The Hostage Rescue Team does, they are not one & the same. You misread that FBI page.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Hey, felons have got to stick together to make it in this world.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The case of a felon who paid lobbyists nearly $1 million to seek a Trump pardon
Nursing home magnate Joseph Schwartz was sentenced in April to three years for defrauding the government of $38 million. Seven months later, Trump pardoned him, but the White House denies a lobbying t...
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Hey, felons have got to stick together to make it in this world.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
A new edition! Finally 2025.
This was a must in grad school in the 1990s
This was a must in grad school in the 1990s
November 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
A new edition! Finally 2025.
This was a must in grad school in the 1990s
This was a must in grad school in the 1990s
When there is nothing in the news
www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/20...
Why do we have such big feelings about Elmo?
On 40 years of the most exuberant and curious and beloved and detested Muppet.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
When there is nothing in the news
www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/20...
Should be a U.S. headline
Bolsonaro caught in attempted flight from the country to avoid arrest and service of his prison sentence for his role in a coup and murder plot. www.ft.com/content/3564...
Brazil police take ex-president Jair Bolsonaro into custody
Court says Trump ally was planning to take advantage of a demonstration outside his home to escape
www.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Should be a U.S. headline
Trump's kinda guy.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Pardoned Capitol rioter tried to bribe child sex victim with promise of Jan. 6 payout, officials say
Andrew Paul Johnson, 44, faces multiple charges in Florida, including lewd/lascivious molestation, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
www.nbcnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Trump's kinda guy.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Douglas M. Charles, PhD
Trump looked at Mamdani and saw a winner who’s loved by New Yorkers. He wishes that was him.
November 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Trump looked at Mamdani and saw a winner who’s loved by New Yorkers. He wishes that was him.
Reposted by Douglas M. Charles, PhD
"At this point, let me remind you that the agency that Trump is politicizing has never been run by a Democrat...Nevertheless, Patel accused the FBI of being on the Democratic Party “payroll” in an anti-FBI documentary funded by Russia-linked firm for which Patel was paid $25,000."
New from me:
Kash Patel is engaged in purges, removal of real accountability, and impunity for loyalists at the FBI.
Researchers told me that these are the exact patterns that create abusive national security organizations under authoritarianism. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-the-fb...
Kash Patel is engaged in purges, removal of real accountability, and impunity for loyalists at the FBI.
Researchers told me that these are the exact patterns that create abusive national security organizations under authoritarianism. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/how-the-fb...
How the FBI Became the Face of Deprofessionalization
What research tells us about national security under authoritarianism
donmoynihan.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:59 PM
"At this point, let me remind you that the agency that Trump is politicizing has never been run by a Democrat...Nevertheless, Patel accused the FBI of being on the Democratic Party “payroll” in an anti-FBI documentary funded by Russia-linked firm for which Patel was paid $25,000."
He's a smart guy. He knows how to manipulate an easy chump like Trump.
November 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM
He's a smart guy. He knows how to manipulate an easy chump like Trump.
The insane, worm-eaten brain at work again.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The insane, worm-eaten brain at work again.
The only "positive" spin is that this is just a symptom of his growing dementia.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The only "positive" spin is that this is just a symptom of his growing dementia.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Doug Jones has ridiculous opinions about Trump‘s words 🙄
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Doug Jones has ridiculous opinions about Trump‘s words 🙄