Ever wonder if the FBI, once hailed as the gold standard of law enforcement, is now a house divided against itself?
Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker’s newly released book, published by Broadside Books on Nov. 11, 2025, exposes a shocking internal rift within the bureau, painting a picture of two opposing forces—one dedicated to justice, the other allegedly mired in political agendas.
Parker’s journey with the FBI began over a dozen years ago, fresh out of the academy and assigned to the Miami Field Office to tackle white-collar crime.
She later moved to squad C15 in Miami, joining the nation’s top-ranked violent crime fugitive task force, where she undoubtedly saw the grit and grind of real law enforcement.
Yet, behind the badge, Parker witnessed something darker—a split she calls “FBI 1” and “FBI 2,” where the former embodies ethical agents quietly serving the Constitution, and the latter includes self-serving leaders and staff pushing personal or ideological goals.
This isn’t just office gossip; Parker argues that FBI 2, often found in D.C. headquarters or executive roles, has tarnished the bureau’s once-shining reputation with arrogance and misplaced priorities.
Is it any surprise, then, that Parker describes the agency as locked in a “civil war,” with clear battle lines drawn between those who serve and those who scheme?
“Is it an overstatement to say that the FBI is embroiled in a civil war? I do not think so,” Parker writes, adding, “Lines have been drawn and sides taken: FBI 1 versus FBI 2” (Nicole Parker).
Her words cut deep, especially when you consider how far the bureau has fallen in public trust—perhaps a casualty of FBI 2’s antics over genuine service.
The stakes of this divide aren’t abstract; Parker recounts the tragic loss of two agents, including her closest friend in the bureau, killed while serving a warrant on a child predator.
Such sacrifices highlight the nobility of FBI 1, the unsung heroes who toil without fanfare, while FBI 2’s power plays cast a shadow over their valor.
Parker herself felt the weight of this conflict, agonizing over her decision to leave the FBI in October 2022, two years into an administration she found misaligned with the bureau’s core mission.
“I am still profoundly saddened that conditions deteriorated to the point that leaving was my best option,” she reflects. “But leaving has allowed me the independence to be forthright, to speak the truth as a witness” (Nicole Parker).
Here’s the kicker: Parker didn’t just walk away to sulk; she left to reclaim her voice, believing that only by exposing this divide could she help steer the FBI back to its righteous path.
With a meeting in the Oval Office on Nov. 10, 2025, where President Donald Trump endorsed her book, Parker’s message has reached high places, carrying hope that under new leadership, FBI 1 might rise while FBI 2 fades into a bad memory.
