#55: The Accidental FBI Director on Moral Courage | Brian Driscoll

Brian Driscoll became acting director of the FBI through what he believes was a clerical error in 2025. He was then asked to hand over the names of thousands of FBI employees who worked the January 6 investigations, which would have placed their careers and safety in jeopardy. He resisted and became a legend in the bureau. Brian told Michael what pushing back cost him, and why he calls "it is what it is" the most accepted form of surrender. They discussed: (00:00) Cold open (00:51) Becoming accidental FBI director (04:37) The illegal vetting call he failed (09:43) The request for the names of thousands of agents (18:04) From 9/11 to investigating the mob in NYC (32:22) Inside the elite Hostage Rescue Team (39:48) Lessons from elite teams: Be brilliant at the basics (49:05) How he protected the FBI (55:35) Fired with no reason given (59:44) How he led the FBI through crisis (66:48) Why standing up was worth being fired (71:41) The motorcycle journey afterward (76:56) Starting over Sponsors: Vuori: Get 20% off your first purchase at vuori.com/TWOPCT. Exclusions apply. MacroFactor: Try MacroFactor free for 14 days in the Apple or Android app store with code TWOPCT. Lagoon: Go to lagoonsleep.com/TWOPCT and take the 60-second sleep quiz to find your perfect pillow. Visit Two Percent, the #1 health and wellness Substack newsletter: https://www.twopct.com Follow Michael: https://twitter.com/Michael_Easter https://instagram.com/michael_easter/ https://linkedin.com/in/michael-easter-b208848/ https://www.facebook.com/twopct https://tiktok.com/@michael_easter6 Host: Michael Easter Executive Producer: Robbie Hiser Music: The Heater Manager Graphics: Jackie Philips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices