Top Fox News analyst goes off in wild segment about Russia, calls the FBI America's 'secret police' and like 'the old KGB'

Fox News

• Fox News analyst Gregg Jarrett went off on the FBI.
• Conservatives in the media have increasingly criticized the agency as its investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election ramps up.

Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett went off on the FBI in a tirade about Hillary Clinton, Russia, and Paul Manafort.

In a segment on "Hannity" on Wednesday, Jarrett blasted the agency over special counselor Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

"We now know that the Mueller investigation is illegitimate and corrupt," he said. "And Mueller has been using the FBI as a political weapon. And the FBI has become America's secret police. Secret surveillance, wiretapping, intimidation, harassment and threats. It's like the old KGB that comes for you in the dark of the night banging through your door."

Host Sean Hannity assured viewers that Jarrett's claims were "not hyperbole," pointing out that the FBI raided the home of former Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort as part of its investigation. Manafort was charged in October with conspiracy against the US.

"It can happen to all of us, absolutely," Jarrett said. "The FBI is a shadow government now."

Jarrett explained that the FBI was compromised because of its failure to prosecute Clinton and her aides over her use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state. Last year, then-FBI Director James Comey recommended no charges be brought in the case, saying Clinton had not knowingly transmitted classified information, though he said Clinton was extremely "careless" with information.

The segment immediately garnered criticism online.

In recent months, criticism of the FBI in conservative media has increased as the special counsel continues its investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Over the weekend, President Trump slammed the FBI, saying the agency's reputation was "in tatters" and the "worst in history," following reports that one agent on Mueller's team was fired by the special counsel for exchanging anti-Trump texts.

Jarrett's comments came a day before FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in front of Congress.

During his testimony, Wray responded to Trump's tweet, defending the agency while acknowledging "there is no shortage of opinions out there" about the agency.

"The FBI that I see is tens of thousands of agents and analysts and staff working their tails off to keep Americans safe from the next terrorist attack, gang violence, child predators, spies from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran," he said.

Watch the clip via Fox News:

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