A Conversation with Josh Campbell, author of Crossfire Hurricane: Inside Donald Trump's War on the FBI

From an FBI insider, a riveting, fly-on-the-wall account of the historic investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia and the president's unprecedented attacks on the bureau—and a passionate defense of the men and women who work every day to uphold democratic institutions and the rule of law. Titled after the FBI code name for the initial investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia, Crossfire Hurricane chronicles President Trump's relentless attacks on the FBI.

Josh Campbell, a career special agent who served under Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trump before resigning from the FBI in February 2018, takes readers behind the scenes of the Russia investigation’s earliest days and makes a compelling case that Trump's campaign of attack poses a threat to public safety. Campbell, who has twelve years' experience working on some of the FBI's highest-profile operations and is now a national security expert for CNN, was special assistant to James Comey. Using a combination of firsthand experience and reporting from sources still within the Bureau, he offers an inside perspective into the FBI that will captivate readers struggling to make sense of a news cycle careening out of control.

Co-sponosored by Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry, College of Arts and Sciences, Criminal Justice Department, and Crime and Justice Research Center, and Elliott Bay Book Company.

“Josh Campbell’s book offers extraordinary and entertaining stories at the center of the Trump storm. With experience, humanity, and humor, Josh brings the reader deep inside the FBI during some its most difficult days. And by making the bittersweet decision to leave his beloved FBI to speak about the institution as a journalist, he is able to offer the unique perspective of both Special Agent and CNN analyst.”—James Comey, former director of the FBI and bestselling author of A Higher Loyalty

“Josh Campbell had the ultimate insider’s perch as President Trump initiated the greatest crisis in the modern history of the F.B.I. Crossfire Hurricane is his fascinating account of those tumultuous days and a vivid reminder of the importance of honor and candor in law enforcement and politics.” —Jeffrey Toobin, CNN Chief Legal Analyst and author of American Heiress: The Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst

"Crossfire Hurricane is likely to become one of the most important books of the year. Josh Campbell speaks both from the heart and experience. A dynamite read."—Dan Rather, former anchor of CBS Evening News and bestselling author of What Unites Us

“Crossfire Hurricane is a chilling and engaging contribution to our understanding of the FBI and the Russia investigation. Josh Campbell had a front seat to the decisions and dilemmas facing the FBI before and after 2016 and tells the story with honesty, compassion and even humor. He reminds us that it is too easy to judge by simply saying the FBI should "follow the book." When it comes to Russia, President Trump, and a campaign willing to play with a foreign enemy, there is no book. Until Josh Campbell wrote it.”—Juliette Kayyem, former Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

"Josh Campbell spent more than a decade serving America as an FBI agent. He is serving America still by writing this book. He provides an invaluable, behind-the-scenes perch on James Comey's last days and Robert Mueller's subsequent special investigation. Anyone who reads his gripping account will know that the FBI is not a Deep State out to unseat the president. It is a superb and apolitical law enforcement organization that has been blindsided by all of the invective from political partisans. Read this book to find out what the FBI is really like."—Max Boot, Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow and author of The Corrosion of Conservatism: Why I Left the Right

“Josh Campbell's love of country and sense of duty shine through as he takes the reader on an honest, intimate journey behind the headlines during the president's tug of war with the FBI. It's a riveting ride and Crossfire Hurricane gives you a front row seat.” —Tara Setmayer, CNN/ABC News political commentator

“An informative, suspenseful, and at times entertaining look inside one of the country’s most important and increasingly controversial institutions. In Crossfire Hurricane, Josh Campbell presents a compelling view of the FBI from both his personal experience and his subsequent investigation into President Trump’s war on the FBI.”
—Bianna Golodryga, journalist and CNN contributor

About the author:

Josh Campbell is a CNN analyst, providing insight on crime, justice, and national security issues. Prior to joining the network, Campbell was a Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI and served as Special Assistant to FBI Director James Comey. During his twelve-year career, he conducted numerous high-profile terrorism and kidnapping investigations, served overseas in multiple diplomatic and operational assignments, and managed the bureau's interagency communication response strategy following crisis incidents. He received four FBI Combat Theater Awards for his work embedded with military special operations and CIA teams abroad. Campbell has a Master of Arts in Communication from Johns Hopkins, a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin, and completed the Arabic language immersion training program at Middlebury College. He is an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a term member with the Council on Foreign Relations.