Kash Patel’s Moscow Mystery

**Julia Ioffe** (0:00)
The fact that a lot of counter-terrorism folks were like, Russia doesn't actually really help us. They just take our information, don't give much back. And so what are we doing here? Like, why are we pretending that there's this cooperation when there isn't one? So I don't know why he would go other than Russia really is a great place to party.

**Peter Hamby** (0:20)
Welcome to The Powers That Be Daily, Puck's podcast focused on the intersection of Wall Street, Washington, Silicon Valley and Hollywood, and the players who run it all. I'm Peter Hamby. It's Wednesday. Today, I'm joined by Julia Ioffe to break down a pair of riveting Russia storylines. First, FBI Director Kash Patel is traveling to Russia for some reason, and people in Washington and in the Trump administration aren't sure why.
Julia also gives us a state of play on Lindsey Graham's final political wish, passing a sanctions bill against Russia to punish them over the war in Ukraine. Graham's legislation has new momentum in the wake of his death, but the big question is whether Donald Trump would actually sign it and penalize Vladimir Putin. We'll discuss all that and much more on today's episode of The Powers That Be.
Happy Wednesday everybody and welcome to The Powers That Be. We're joined today in Washington where I am also by Julia Ioffe, my beloved colleague. We're across town. I'm at the Riggs Hotel, the Puck Bureau in Washington when everyone is here for various events. That's why the things behind me, if you're watching on YouTube, it looks like I'm in an old bank vault. But Julia, it's good to see you have bookshelves put in.

**Julia Ioffe** (1:47)
Yeah, finally, right? I can't find my headphones or my camera, but most of my books are unpacked. Just don't look this way.

**Peter Hamby** (1:54)
Fine. You look wonderful. Also, Puck had a little event on Monday night where I saw Julia here in DC and she wore a smashing outfit. You're the coolest chick at the party.
Good fit. Julia, two fascinating Russia stories I want to talk to you about. One is that now that Lindsey Graham is dead, his basically dead Russia sanctions bill is coming back to life. Thanks to Democrats across the aisle and Republicans who love Lindsey Graham, this might be his last will and testament. But first, another Russia story. This is fascinating.
Politico reported on Tuesday that Kash Patel is going to Moscow or St. Petersburg. Which one is it?

**Julia Ioffe** (2:37)
Both?

**Peter Hamby** (2:38)
Both.
In an effort to meet with Russian officials over the war in Ukraine. Julia, I have a lot of questions. Good scoop from Politico here. Also, in their piece, the White House didn't comment. The Justice Department didn't comment. Everything was referred to the FBI. Seems a little weird. Now we know Kash Patel likes going overseas. Obviously, he was at the Winter Olympics watching hockey. And look, it's fine if FBI directors go overseas. There are security threats. You have to meet with other security officials in other countries for various reasons.
An FBI director hasn't gone to Russia since 2013 That was a different time, of course. Why is Kash Patel going to Russia? And then, you know, I guess the second question after that is, he seems like an obvious FSB target. If there ever was one, be careful what you leave in your hotel room, Kash. But first, why is Kash Patel going? Julia, this is a strange trip.

**Julia Ioffe** (3:41)
I think that's the question, Peter. And I don't know that anyone knows the answer. I just did a hit on MSNBC with former CIA Director Brennan and some other law enforcement types. Nobody knows. Nobody knows why he's going. Nobody can think of a good reason why he would maybe go. But the fact that he's going shortly before the midterms, given Russia's predilection, let's say, for meddling in American elections and weighing in on the side of Donald Trump. And two, why he's going at all, given, I mean, this is my personal question and is obviously yours.
You know, given Kash's, let's say, party boy persona, the fact that he's going to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia is like, is a great place to party.

**Peter Hamby** (4:34)
Are you floating the honey trap theory?

**Julia Ioffe** (4:36)
Well, I don't like, I truly don't know why he, like what the policy goals would be. We don't cooperate with them on anything anymore. Like the FBI used to cooperate with Russia on counterterrorism. That was one of the last things to go when the US started kind of snipping the ties after the 2014 invasion of Ukraine.