Former FBI official wonders if President Trump's 'mass firing' is 'workplace violence'

A former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence appeared on MSNBC Monday and wondered if President Donald Trump's recent purging of administration officials amounts to "workplace violence."

What happened?

Nicolle Wallace, host of "Deadline: White House," asked Frank Figliuzzi — an analyst and frequent contributor to the program — about his previous observations concerning "alarming signs" and "impulsive conduct" coming from Trump.

"What we talked about was a possible analogy between what we're seeing in the president and studies of violence and acting out, particularly workplace violence," Figliuzzi said. "And we talked about the ... journey and pathway to violence, when we see people using language of despondency, lashing out, blaming others, obsessive compulsive attachment to one issue and the inability to get off of it — in that case it would be the border, and security on the border, and immigration."

He then asked, "Are we watching a president essentially on his way to what we call a flash point, and are we beginning to see him act out in the form of purging and mass firing and completely not listening to any logic?"

The details

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned her position Sunday amid heavy criticism related to immigration and the U.S. border with Mexico. Trump also withdrew his nomination of Ronald Vitiello to oversee ICE, saying he wants "go in a tougher direction." In addition, Secret Service Director Randolph "Tex" Alles was ousted Monday, and NBC News said additional DHS purges could be coming.

'Is he acting out now?'

Figliuzzi then invoked "workplace violence" a second time in reference to Trump's actions.

"You know, when people say to him the law or policy is such and such, and we would be violating the Constitution or the law, and he simply dismisses it and fires people and keeps doing it, are we essentially watching a workplace violence incident play out at the highest level of our government?" he asked. "And is he acting out now, and where does this go if I'm right about that?"

(H/T: Mediaite)