Body Language Analysis No. 4670: Charles McGonigal, FBI's former NYC Counterintelligence Chief as he arrives and departs at Federal Court

Charles McGonigal is a former head of counterintelligence of the FBI's New York City field office (who oversaw approximately 150 FBI officers).

He's currently under federal indictment on multiple charges — some of which include: money laundering, making false statements in mandatory disclosures to the FBI, violating U.S. sanctions on Russia.

McGonigal is alleged to have conspired with Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, who he had investigated.

McGonigal retired from the FBI in September of 2018. It's not clear, at the time of this writing, if McGonigal's alleged illegal activity began before or after his retirement from the FBI.

Each of the first three images in this article were all captured nearly simultaneously, as McGonigal arrived in Federal Court in Manhattan on 09 February 2023 (Photo Credits: Michael M. Santiago and MSNBC).

 

All of the following 4 images were taken as McGonigal left Federal Court in Manhattan on 23 February 2023 (Photo Credits: Michael M. Santiago) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In all of these photos, Charles McGonigal, is to varying degrees, displaying what is known as a "Forward Lip Purse".

 A Forward Lip Purse is a profoundly valuable Body Language tell. It's an extremely-reliable indicator of either a (mostly, but often fully) undisclosed disagreement/deception — and/or a clandestine plan. 

A Forward Lip Purse is always displayed by a person who perceives themself to be an alpha personality — with significant intelligence, resources, and/or hidden advantage relative to their audience.

A person displaying a Forward Lip Purse believes themself to have a high-likelihood of success in the perpetration of their lie and/or their undisclosed plan.

Study carefully the Forward Lip Purse. Be careful not to confuse it with the Lateral Lip Purse or a Tight Tongue Jut — for these Body Language displays have completely different meanings.

Outside the context of a game or a good-natured joke, you never want to see a Forward Lip Purse from your romantic partner, business partner, boss, friend, family member, etc.

Upon seeing a Forward Lip Purse — protect your flank. Immediately. 

SUMMARY: Based on this nonverbal analysis, Charles McGonigal, former Counterintelligence officer of the FBI's NYC office, with an extremely high likelihood, has a partially or fully undisclosed plan and/or deception. Investigators should proceed with this knowledge.

All professionals who want/need to learn Body Language, please email me (Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com) — particularly attorneys, judges, actors, directors, sales professionals, Democratic communication directors, health care professionals, crisis management, c-suite executives, teachers/professors, etc.

Ω

     

Body Language Analysis No. 4320: Peter Strzok's Congressional Hearing - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Peter Strzok, an FBI Deputy Assistant Director, testified before the U.S. House Judiciary and Oversight Committees yesterday. Most anyone who watched the nearly 10-hour event would agree that it was the one of the most raucous and chaotic in memory - abundant with yelling and deeply personal exchanges. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of Peter Strzok's opening statement.

PETER STRZOK: (beginning at 0:01): Chairmen Goodlatte and Gowdy, Ranking Members Nadler and Cummings. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before your committees again, this time in an open hearing Ω.  I testify today with significant regret Ω, recognizing that my texts have created confusion and caused pain for people I love Ω. Certain private messages of mine have provided ammunition for misguided attacks against the FBI Ω, an institution I love deeply and have served proudly for more than 20 years.

At four times during this first paragraph of his opening statement, Mr. Strzok displays expressions of regret. These are each notated above with a Ω symbol.

The second instance occurs the instant after he says, "I testify today with significant regret..." (shown in the image immediately above).

This nonverbal variation of regret is extremely common and is most notably characterized by a lateral vectoring of the corner of a closed mouth (in this example, Strzok's left). In this example, because Strzok's head is tilted down - the mouth corner gives the false appearance of being a bit up-turned. To an unskilled observer, it may appear as a halfhearted attempt at a smile - but it's nothing of the sort. This is indeed indicative of regret.

If one only reads his statement without watching the video - the emotion of regret would be expected and contextual. This is a beautiful example of the nonverbal, verbal - as well as vocal qualities (a subset of paralanguage) - all being simultaneous and congruent. Peter Strzok's regret is truly sincere.

You probably didn't notice, but Peter Strzok has a facial idiosyncrasy. When he speaks - he tends, rather significantly, to speak out of the right side of his mouth (similar to, but not with quite the extreme as former Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson). Strzok's style of asymmetry, at times, gives him the appearance of projecting and feeling contempt - the vast majority of times even when he's not experiencing any such emotion. He does this throughout his hearing.

This one-sided facial dynamic may have its origin from an old injury or other medical condition (with the left side of the face being hypo-reactive) - or it may be resulting from a tic-like behavior. Of course, this does not exempt Peter Strzok from feeling contempt - however, others will over-interpret and erroneously assign him this emotion (both subconsciously and consciously).

Continuing at 1:08, Mr. Strzok said, "At times my criticism was blunt, but despite how it’s been characterized, it was not limited to one person or one party – I criticized various countries and politicians, including Secretary Clinton, Senator Sanders, then-candidate Trump and others ∆ ."

At the very end of this sentence, Peter Strzok displays a Loose Tongue Jut (1:26 - 1:27, as seen in the image immediately above). A loose tongue jut indicates the thought-emotion of "I've been bad", "I've been caught", and/or "I've done a foolish thing" (Navarro). This is yet another nonverbal signal which is displayed completely within context. Strzok DID get caught - and he was critical of three presidential candidates.

Be cautious, so as not to confuse a Loose Tongue Jut with a Tight Tongue Jut or a Wide Open Tongue Jut - all of which have completely different meanings.

At 2:04, just after Peter Strzok says, "... I understand that my sworn testimony will not be enough for some people" - Strzok's attorney, Aitan Goelman, sitting behind him and a bit to his left can be seen suddenly covering his mouth. This is a loud and clear indicator that Mr. Goelman did not want Mr. Strzok to say this.

During his statement, "This investigation is not politically motivated" (3:46 - 3:48). Peter Strzok displays what is known as a Self-Righteous Head Wiggle (aka High-Confidence Head Wiggle).

A Self-Righteous Head Wiggle (SRHW) is a side-to-side, relatively rapid oscillation of the head and neck. It's often simultaneous with a similar movement of the torso. Sometimes the SRHW will be very short-lived (a near-microexpression) - however, as in this example, it can be of longer duration.

The Self-Righteous Head Wiggle is commonly expressed behavior in people during hyper-alpha moments - expressing especially high confidence and particularly strong opinions.

The SRHW is initiated subconsciously. It's constructive to think of it as a variety of nonverbal swagger. This body language is also strongly correlative with a person who is being truthful.

It's also important to note that the motions of an SRHW are impossible to represent with a still image - please watch the video to fully appreciate the dynamics of this behavior. 

SUMMARY: Upon detailed nonverbal analysis of the video segment included here, Peter Strzok is being sincere. More specifically, at no time was Mr. Strzok being deceptive. The FBI Deputy Assistant Director is telling the truth.

Group Appearances and One-on-One

Online Courses Available 

702-239-8503

Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com

See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 3949 (Re-posting): Donald Trump Shoves Montenegro's PM Dusko Markovic at NATO Summit

Body Language Analysis No. 4318: Jim Jordan regarding Allegations of Ignoring Knowledge of Sexual Abuse at Ohio State

Body Language Analysis No. 4316: Sarah Paulson, The Met Gala, and Madonna

Body Language Analysis No. 4314: Donald Trump, The Supreme Court, Abortion, and Punishment

Body Language Analysis No. 4299: Bill Clinton confronted regarding Monica Lewinsky Affair

Body Language Analysis No. 4295: Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, and Red Flags

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3381: Ariana Grande, Flirtatious Body Language and the American Music Awards

Body Language Analysis No. 4264: Criminal Profiling - Sketch of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) Over Her Affair with Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4199: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, and their Mission Impossible Helicopter Stunt

_________________________ 

Body Language Analysis No. 4236: Andrew McCabe, Jeff Sessions, James Comey - and Sincerity • Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Friday 16 March 2018, a bit more than one day prior to FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe's scheduled retirement date, Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired him. This act has placed a large portion of McCabe's pension in jeopardy. 

What follows is a nonverbal analysis of (then) Acting Director Andrew McCabe's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding recently fired FBI Director, James Comey. This nonverbal analysis specifically addresses McCabe's honesty and sincerity.

SENATOR MARTIN HEINRICH: Ahum, we've heard, in the news, that, that ah, claims that Director Comey had, ahum, [lip smack] had lost thee - confidence of rank and file FBI employees. Ahum, you've been there for twenty-one years - in your - opinion - ahum, is it accurate that the rank and file no longer supported Director Comey?

ACTING DIRECTOR ANDREW MCCABE: [lip smack], [Shaking head side-to-side] No Sir. That is not accurate. I can tell you sir, that ahum, I worked very, very closely with Director Comey, from the moment he started at the FBI. I was his executive assistant director of National Security at that time. I worked for him - running the Washington field office. And of course, I've served as Deputy for the last year. 

Ahum, I can tell you that I hold Director Comey in the absolute highest regard. I have the highest respect for his considerable abilities and his integrity. And it has been the greatest privilege and honor of my professional life to work with him.

Ahum, I can tell you also - that Director Comey enjoyed broad support within the FBI - and still does to this day. We are a large organization. We are thirty-six thousand five-hundred people across this country - across this globe. We have a diversity of opinions about many things. Ahum, but I can confidently tell you - that the majority, the vast majority of FBI employees - enjoyed a deep and positive connection to Director Comey.

It's crucial to be able to pick out patterns of insincerity in people - even during moments when they aren't necessarily lying. For many of those individuals will acquire positions of power in which they can do great harm. 

From a nonverbal perspective, at no time during this testimony, did Andrew McCabe display any signals of deception. And, just as important, Acting Director McCabe's sincerity quotient is high.

One (of many) nonverbal Sincerity vs. Insincerity tells is the distinction of use vs. over-use of one's forehead.

If a person contracts their forehead too much - it's correlated with a LOW SINCERITY QUOTIENT. During such times a person's forehead is often nearly constantly and extremely contracted. An overactive forehead insincerity pattern is often seen in conjunction with other insincere nonverbal behaviors (Can you name some?).

When forehead contraction is occasional and displayed congruently with specific verbal statements - such behavior has a significantly HIGHER SINCERITY QUOTIENT.

You'll note that although it did react - McCabe's forehead was only contracted briefly" - and importantly, it was simultaneous with key portions of his verbal statement:

"I can tell you that I hold Director Comey" (0:48 - 0:50)
"considerable" (0:54)
" broad support" (1:09 - 1:10)
"and still does" (1:12)
" across this globe" (1:19 - 1:20)
"majority, the vast majority of FBI" (1:29 - 1:31)
"a deep" (1:31 - 1:32)

Summary: Andrew McCabe has a high sincerity quotient. And specifically, in this testimony, he was completely honest in his praise of and assessment of James Comey.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4235: Beware the Ides of March • Donald Trump removing H.R. McMaster

Body Language Analysis No. 4233: Donald Trump Regarding His Firing of Rex Tillerson

Body Language Analysis No. 4231: Sam Nunberg Interview (Part III) • Diminished Impulse Control, Frustration, and Anxiety

Body Language Analysis No. 4226: Roger Stone, Donald Trump, and Wikileaks

Body Language Analysis No. 4209: Emma Gonzalez, Florida HS Shooting, and Emotional Processing

Body Language Analysis No. 4186: Donald Trump, Robert Mueller, and Disgust

Body Language Analysis No. 4162: Is Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Going to Run for President in 2020?

Body Language Analysis No. 4143: Billy Bush regarding Donald Trump on the "Access Hollywood Tape" (Stephen Colbert Interview)

Body Language Analysis No. 4045: Rex Tillerson Regarding Donald Trump, "The President Speaks for Himself"


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Body Language Analysis No. 4212: Sarah Huckabee Sanders Responds to Questions about President Trump's Tweet Regarding the FBI and the Florida School Shooting - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

On Tuesday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders held a press briefing. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a crucial few seconds of this event when a journalist asked Ms. Sanders' to explain one of President Trump's recent tweets (included immediately below).

JOURNALIST (beginning at 5:00): ... First a clarification from some of the President's Tweets over the weekend. The President doesn't really think - that the FBI failed to stop the Parkland Shooter because it was - too involved with the Russia Investigation, does he?

SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: I, I, I think he was speaking, ahhhh, n-not necessarily that that is the, the, the cause - I think we all aaum have to be aware that the cause of - t-this is - that of a deranged individual, ah, that made a decision to take the lives of seventeen other people. Ahum, that is the responsibility of the shooter, ahum, certainly not the responsilibility [sic] of anybody else.

During 5:20, as Ms. Sanders says, "aaum" - she displays a simply classic Inward Lip Roll. Because of its brevity, this is also a borderline Microexpression.

An inward lip roll is a manifestation of our psyche trying to suppress the outward display - as well as the inward growth of an unwanted emotion.

The emotion/behavior Sarah Huckabee Sanders is trying to suppress is joy/laughter.

During the next approximately 1.2 seconds - as Ms. Sanders continues her sentence with "... have to be aware ...", we see her in various stages and configurations of a partially suppressed smile.

These are profound examples of what, in nonverbal parlance, is known as Duping Delight (Ekman).

Duping delight is one form of smiling out of context. The reason Ms. Sanders is partially smiling/partially suppressing her smile - is that the subconscious mind takes pleasure in fooling people (or believing that they're being fooled [duped]). Children exhibit this behavior frequently.

When comparing President Trump's tweet - with Ms. Sanders' attempt at explaining it - one can see that they're highly incongruous. Her answer cannot be reconciled - it's clear and demonstrable deception.

Ms. Sanders' paralanguage behavior is also noteworthy. She committed many stuttering displays. Her mispronunciation of "responsibility" as "responsilibility" [sic] - further betrays her anxiety. Ms. Sanders' word choice of "responsibility" in this context is also odd. Moreover, from a strict logic point of view, Ms. Sanders' simply did not answer the question.

Summary: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' lied in her answer to the journalist regarding President Trump's tweet. A word transcript alone verifies her duplicity. Her nonverbal and paralanguage displays are classic and indicative of deception. These signals are also textbook examples of duping delight and attempts at emotional suppression.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4211: Donald Trump Feels The Need To Dial-up His Alpha

Body Language Analysis No. 4209: Emma Gonzalez, Florida HS Shooting, and Emotional Processing

Body Language Analysis No. 4207: Stoneman Douglas High School shooting (Parkland, Florida), Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, and Empathy

Body Language Analysis No. 4205: Chloe Kim, Albert Einstein, and Creativity

Body Language Analysis No. 4198: Lupita Nyong'o, Black Panther, and Attention to Detail

Body Language Analysis No. 4107: Paul Manafort, Robert Mueller, Russian Oligarchs, and Donald Trump

Body Language Analysis No. 4158: Michelle Williams regarding Kevin Spacey - "All the Money in the World"

Body Language Analysis No. 4123: Jason Momoa, Aquaman, the Quindent, and a Secret

Body Language Analysis No. 4071: Fans' Reaction to Trauma - Young Girl Hit By Foul Ball at Yankee Stadium


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Body Language Analysis No. 4151: Donald Trump at FBI National Academy Graduation - Nonverbal and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Donald Trump attended the FBI National Academy Graduation on Friday in Quantico, Virginia. What follows is a partial nonverbal analysis of a few key segments of that ceremony.

The Star-Spangled Banner was played at the beginning of the event (from 2:40 - 3:53 in the above video). Throughout the US national anthem, the President held his right hand over his left chest (which is, of course, proper etiquette). However, his hand was not stationary but was repeatedly patting his chest (absolutely NOT protocol).

What's the significance of this chest-patting during The Star-Spangled Banner?

Suppose for a moment, this was anyone else but the President - such as a person in the bleachers at the beginning of a Chicago Cubs game, we would say he was - without necessarily realizing or intending to do so - showing disrespect for the anthem, country, and tradition.

The placing of the full palm over one's heart during other times is an act we subconsciously perform in moments when we're felling "heartfelt" and sincere. A close analog also occurs during hugging.

If you and your lover are alone, hugging in the kitchen - you would (and should) expect a full palmar touch upon your back (not just with the tips of their fingers - but their entire fingers, thumbs, and palms of their hands). Crucially, in such private and intimate moments - there should be NO PATTING. For in the context of a hug, patting means: "Let's stop hugging". It's an insincerity and disengagement display.

Sometimes, however, with people who have trepidation regarding public displays of affection, there may be a degree of patting during hugs at nonprivate locations - even if the hug involves people who care deeply for each other and who are otherwise affectionate.

However, many times during a hug - particularly when private or nearly so, when you notice the other person patting you on your back - rather than maintaining a constant and full palmar-touch - it may very well indicate their lack of affection and sincerity.

Yet touching over one's heart during the National Anthem is not a private act. On the contrary, it's intended as a public declaration and signal of loyalty, sincerity, and patriotism. Patting signals a lack of respect as well as low mental-emotional engagement.

Let's dig deeper. A few moments later when two prayers were offered, the President rotated his body back and forth (while keeping his feet stationary). Please watch the video during 4:49 - 5:12 as well as 5:49 - 5:57, as these dynamic behaviors are not captured with still imagery.

Moreover, while the other people on stage bowed their heads and closed their eyes during the prayers, while the President looked up (with his head held nearly upright and his eyes open) at the audience at multiple times during each prayer offering.

While others were speaking, Donald Trump also sat in his routine/default configuration of a seated crotch display (manspreading - although less so than is typical for him due to the relatively close seating of the adjacent chairs) with his usual accompanying low conventional steeple. However, once again, President Trump did not sit still - his fingertips repeatedly moved apart and back together (e.g., during 6:56 - 7:17 and 8:35 - 9:03, ).

When viewed in context, we can look back at the chest-patting and make the conclusion that it was part of a larger pattern of hyperactivity behavior.

What are some other possible causes?

Anxiety is another explanation to consider for these nonverbal repetitive movements (MAPs - Manipulators, Adaptors, Pacifiers). If it were the seventh game of the World Series, the theoretical man in the bleachers may very well be nervous, with his adrenaline is heightened. This would very likely be manifesting itself, in part, via excessive motion. Impatience may also overlap with anxiety and cause this same excessive motion behavior.

Another possible cause is Hyperactivity disorders, such as Adult ADHD.

The "man in the bleachers" may also have secondary hyperactivity arising from any number of stimulants resulting in these and similar excessive movement displays.

When accompanied by other nonverbal behavior (not present in this example), excessive movement may even indicate boredom.

Summary: President Trump's nonverbal displays during FBI National Academy Graduation on Friday - specifically during The National Anthem, the ensuing prayers, and during portions of the ceremony - demonstrated movement behavior which was significantly out-of-context and excessive. This was most likely arising from anxiety resulting from the President's recent harsh criticisms of the Nation's premier federal law enforcement agency.


Group Appearances and One-on-One
Online Courses Available 
702-239-8503
Jack@BodyLanguageSuccess.com


See also:

Body Language Analysis No. 4150: Was Omarosa Fired or Did She Resign?

Body Language Analysis No. 4148: Kayla and Roy Moore's Antisemitism

Body Language Analysis No. 4146: Roy Moore, Red Flags, and Sociopaths

Body Language Analysis No. 4144: Donald Trump Touching Mike Pence on the Knee in the Oval Office

Body Language Analysis No. 4130: Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King regarding Charlie Rose

Body Language Analysis No. 4108: Sarah Huckabee Sanders' White House Briefing regarding Paul Manafort and George Papadopoulos

Body Language Analysis No. 4052: Hitler's Cryptorchidism and Emotional Dissonance

Body Language Analysis No. 4047: Joel Osteen, Houston, and Hurricane Harvey

Body Language Analysis No. 4001: Jodie Whittaker, Dr. Who, and Flirting from a TARDIS


_____________________________________________________________________________________