Growing up, Christina Mesesan always knew she wanted to help people; she just wasn’t sure what that would look like. In the years following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and driven by the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report, Christina heeded the call to public service with the goal of integrating the FBI's national security workforce. During Christina's first assignment as an Intelligence Analyst at the FBI's New York Field Office, Christina leveraged her Masters degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall to advance counterintelligence investigations, while also using her Romanian language skills to support the FBI’s organized crime investigations.

Operation Ghost Stories: In June 2010, Christina’s intelligence work—along with the work of many special agents, intelligence analysts, linguists and professional staff—resulted in the disruption and arrest of ten Russian sleeper agents in the United States. Much to Christina’s dismay, she learned that one of her classmates from Seton Hall had been part of the spy ring and named publicly.   

Throughout her years with the FBI, Christina saw the intelligence cadre slowly gain a seat at the table with decision-makers, just as the 9/11 Commission had hoped. In the early years of 45's first administration, the FBI’s Intelligence Program gradually started losing that seat. Although the FBI seemed to consider allowing intelligence personnel more growth and promotion opportunities, executives kept adding more requirements and more check boxes, while the favoritism and blue flaming of the “good old boy network" of special agents bled over to promotion decisions in the intelligence program.

After bearing witness to former FBI Director Comey's unceremonious firing during his visit to the Los Angeles Field Office in 2017, Christina was disheartened and losing steam. In 2021, she left her work at the FBI for the County of Los Angeles. Since 2023, Christina has served as a Police Special Investigator in the Office of the Inspector General for the Los Angeles Police Department with hopes of one day becoming an Inspector General herself.

Now watching the mayhem of 47's second administration as an outsider, Christina reflects on early lessons learned from her mentor at the FBI, retired Executive Assistant Director Arlene Gaylord. Christina continues to follow Arlene’s advice by "putting on lipstick" and "serving drinks."

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The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the individuals providing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the FBI, the DOJ, the United States, or any past or current employers.