WASHINGTON — Expect a game of musical chairs over at FBI headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue now that the number two person John Pistole has left the agency and Timothy Murphy, the number three person, has replaced him.
Nothing has been announced yet, but the rumors are circulating. Here’s one set of rumors — and I emphasize “RUMORS” at this point.
Thomas J. Harrington, the FBI’s number four person, might take over the number three spot that had been occupied by Murphy.
Now here’s the part that gets interesting. Under the rumor scenario, Shawn Henry, a rising star in the FBI, who took over the Washington field office as the assistant director in charge early this year, might return to headquarters and replace Harrington as the Executive Assistant Director over Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch.
Then Kevin Perkins, who heads up the Criminal Investigative Division at headquarters, would head up the Washington field office. At this point, it’s only rumors.
Michael Kortan, the FBI’s chief spokesman at headquarters, declined to comment on Monday. And some of the agents, who are subject of the rumors, did not immediately respond to emails for comment.
Pistole’s departure set the stage for what’s to come. He was recently confirmed as head of the Transportation Security Administration.
