Calls for the ouster of FBI Director Kash Patel gained momentum on Monday with a new report calling the bureau “rudderless” under the former lawyer and his deputy Dan Bongino.
A group of 24 active-duty and retired FBI agents presented troubling details before a House and Senate Judiciary Committees, highlighting many of the controversial decisions taken by Patel during his short tenure, New York Post reported.
US President Donald Trump however insisted recently that his appointee was “doing a great job”.
What does the report say?
The report paints a troubling picture of an agency suffering from low confidence due to Patel’s lack of experience. It calls Patel “in over his head” and describes his leadership as paralysing at all levels, with his deputy Dan Bongino being labelled as “something of a clown.”
One agent dubbed the agency under Patel’s watch the “Kash-Bongino circus,” a reference to Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, whom several officers reportedly view as lacking seriousness and competence, The Independent reported.
Among the sharpest critiques, many agents believe Patel “has neither the breadth of experience nor the bearing an FBI director needs,” and that his leadership has sown “a culture of mistrust and uncertainty” within the bureau.
Patel’s controversial decisions
The report also draws attention to several controversial decisions and missteps since Patel took the reins in February. These include alleged improper use of government resources, such as flights on an FBI jet for personal trips and deploying an FBI SWAT team to guard his girlfriend, as well as public statements made before investigations had concluded.
Another agent criticised how the bureau handled the high-profile Jeffrey Epstein files.
According to the report, FBI personnel were redirected to redact documents for a proposed release; but after the files were pulled back by higher-ups, the reallocation of resources and the episode’s fallout significantly damaged the FBI’s reputation.
Is White House replacing Patel?
The White House has dismissed the rumours saying the suggestion was “completely made up.” US President Donald Trump himself refuted the speculations, calling it “pretty comical”.
