Being at the top of an institution like the FBI doesn’t mean you can control it. The bureaucracy beneath you has been cultivated for decades, and its operatives are trained to protect the institution’s power. Even someone with a democratic mandate, like a president or an insider like Dan Bonino, quickly discovers that attempting to reform the FBI is almost impossible.

Dan Bonino recently resigned from the FBI following a scandal involving the cover-up of Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex trafficking ring. Glenn Greenwald discussed with Megan Kelly why the FBI resists reform and how this affects politics within the Trump administration.

Bonino and others inside the agency were outspoken critics of how the Epstein files were handled, but once inside, they discovered the limits of power. No matter who sits at the top, the FBI and similar institutions operate largely autonomously. They are staffed not by “leftists” but by careerist, security-state operatives determined to preserve the status quo. Attempts to reform them are met with resistance from experienced insiders who understand how the system works—and they wield institutional knowledge as power.

Even committed critics like Bonino found themselves frustrated. Despite a strong moral stance and a popular platform as a podcaster, he couldn’t force transparency or change the agency’s culture. His attempts to release files or challenge the system were constrained, and in the end, he returned to his personal life, acknowledging the thankless nature of the job.

Glenn Greenwald emphasizes that these agencies exist to protect permanent power, not necessarily to follow elected officials. Whether it’s the FBI or CIA, there are layers of authority that are untouchable by politics. Institutional inertia is real, and reformers often burn out quickly, no matter their intentions.

Moreover, the Epstein scandal demonstrated that even Trump’s base wasn’t willing to accept excuses or lies. Attempts by insiders to explain away the scandal as a Democratic hoax or a minor issue eroded credibility, showing that the public can see through institutional deception.

Ultimately, the takeaway is stark: the FBI is a deep-state institution that cannot be reformed from within. It must either be abolished, legislatively dismantled, or effectively nullified at the state and local level. Local governments can resist unconstitutional or immoral enforcement, echoing the approach Jefferson and Madison took against the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798.

Glenn Greenwald and other commentators argue that understanding the deep state requires clarity: it’s not about partisan politics or ideological labels. It’s about entrenched institutional power, which operates independently of presidents, political appointees, or even reform-minded insiders. The lesson is clear—reform is almost impossible; only systemic change can address the inherent corruption and overreach.