A troubling portrait of dysfunction has emerged from within the FBI, casting a harsh light on the leadership of Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino during their early tenure.
A 115-page report, covering the first six months of Patel’s time at the helm from February 21 to August 21, paints a grim picture of an agency adrift, as detailed by The Hill.
Agents and analysts, both active and retired, have voiced sharp concerns, with one source calling the bureau a “rudderless ship” under Patel’s command. Another didn’t hold back, branding him as “in over his head” while dismissing Bongino as “something of a clown.”
The report zeroes in on Patel’s background, noting his prior roles under President Trump as principal deputy director of national intelligence and chief of staff to the acting Defense Secretary. Yet, sources argue he lacks the depth and steady confidence needed to steer an agency as complex as the FBI.
Critics also point to an unhealthy obsession with image over substance. Both Patel and Bongino face accusations of prioritizing social media presence and public relations stunts above the gritty work of federal law enforcement.
This fixation on optics seems to distract from pressing threats at home. When leaders chase likes and retweets, who’s left to tackle the real dangers brewing on our streets?
The report highlights a particularly embarrassing episode following the tragic September 10 shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah. Patel’s actions upon arriving in Provo the next day raised eyebrows, as he reportedly refused to disembark the FBI jet without an official bureau jacket.
Agents at the Salt Lake City field office scrambled to find a medium-sized jacket from a female colleague, only for Patel to fuss over missing Velcro patches on the sleeves. Two FBI SWAT Team members had to surrender their own patches just to get him moving.
Beyond this odd display, Patel drew fire for making hasty public statements during the ongoing investigation. He’s also accused of claiming credit for other agencies’ efforts when suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, was apprehended, further muddying the waters of accountability.
Frustration boiled over within the ranks, with the report alleging Patel yelled at Robert Bohls, a special agent in charge, amid struggles with the Kirk investigation. Such outbursts hardly inspire confidence in a leader tasked with maintaining calm under pressure.
Incidents like these suggest a deeper issue of temperament at the top. If the director can’t keep his cool in a crisis, how can the agency hope to navigate the storm of domestic threats?
This isn’t just about one case; it’s a signal of systemic disarray. Agents deserve a chain of command that prioritizes their mission over petty theatrics or personal branding.
The report will soon land before the Senate and House Judiciary committees, prompting inevitable scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) took to social media Monday, quipping, “I don’t mind that Kash Patel had to wear a women’s (size medium) jacket to cosplay as someone in charge. I just wish he’d focus on stopping the rampant domestic terrorism happening on his watch.”
Swalwell’s jab lands with a smirk, but it underscores a valid worry: leadership must zero in on the rising tide of violence, not wardrobe malfunctions. Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended Patel, telling The Hill on Monday that he “is a critical member of the President’s team and he is working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI.”
Jackson’s words ring hollow against the backdrop of this damning critique. Restoring trust in the FBI demands more than press releases; it requires seasoned hands at the wheel, not rookies learning on the job while the nation’s safety hangs in the balance.