As shocking as conservative activist Charlie Kirk‘s fatal shooting in Utah may have been, it has put up an even bigger challenge for the FBI. Under the Donald Trump administration, this case is already setting in as the most taxing undertaking for FBI Director Kash Patel. Even more than a day after the right-wing media personality’s death, the suspect possibly responsible for Kirk’s murder is not only still at large, the individual hasn’t even been formally identified yet.

The ongoing federal investigation into Kirk’s death is shaping up to be the Indian-origin FBI leader’s first major test. The issue has come up at a time when the Trump administration has re-directed its law enforcement agents to double down on taking action as per his the MAGA leader’s political bent and policies, including immigration crackdown. And now, the cracks within are on full display, as suspicions and questions regarding the FBI’s credibility are on the rise.

Kash Patel not happy with FBI subordinates’ ‘Mickey Mouse ops’: Report

According to the NYT, three insiders speaking on the condition of anonymity emphasised that it was a no-brainer that the FBI under Patel’s leadership was under enhanced pressure, especially since the first major case had offered the team a chance to prove itself. They claimed that Patel was particularly ticked off by subordinates who failed to present him with timely information.

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As per their side of the story, the FBI director was especially disgruntled by the fact that Salt Lake City agents had held back a photo of the suspected shooter from him for nearly 12 hours. Another official further divulged that Patel told them he was against these kind of “Mickey Mouse operations,” which as the person suggested happened to be the few statements missing mentions of profanity.

Kash Patel was silent at press briefing after sharing false alarm

Patel, who has long been under the scanner over concerns of lack of experience, has further slipped into hot water over his obsession with social media clout. On Thursday (US time), Kash Patel embraced radio silence at a news conference with Utah Governor Spencer Cox. He was seen awkwardly standing beside other officials, while they addressed the issue and offered little new information in Kirk’s case.

As he maintained his silence, choosing not to come up to the podium or take any questions at the presser, Cox underlined that they had several briefings lined up. As Patel flew to Orem earlier that day, the governor further affirmed the FBI director even had “an opportunity to walk the crime scene.

On top of that, Cox revealed that they had conducted nearly 200 interviews, with 20 law enforcement partners working on the case. All of this transpired hours after Patel inaccurately declared online that Kirk’s potential killer had been nabbed.

FBI director’s inaccurate X post in Charlie Kirk assassination case

Shortly after Kirk became the subject of a fatal shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10 (US time), Kash eagerly pushed out a post claiming that the individual who “took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.”

Internet users instantly descended into the comments section to drag Patel for “live tweeting the investigation” and speaking out of turn without any concrete evidence corroborating any claims. So far, he appears to be on the clear on the official front despite the online blunder. Some people with knowledge of his decision shared with the New York Times that Patel pushed out the message merely speaking with agents working the case. However, it was never backed by consultation with his leadership team.

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It wasn’t just unusual for an FBI director to publicly declare information that could have compromised the investigation. What pronounced his missteps here was that he chose to do it right ahead of the case’s first live briefing scheduled by Utah Governor Spencer Cox and other key officials on Wednesday. While Patel may have succeeded at sending out the word first, regardless of how accurate it may have been, the briefing flipped the scene around altogether.

Right after the presser, he retracted the impatiently shared statement, clarifying the “subject in custody” had been released after an “interrogation by law enforcement.” He then reiterated what Beau Mason, the commissioner of Utah’s Department of Public Safety, told the reporters following the briefing: the search to “find this killer” was still on, and the agency would be collaborating with the FBI to get it done.

Charlie Kirk killer still at large – images, footage out

It was only about 22 hours after Kirk lost his life that things finally set into motion, as pictures of the possible shooter wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses went live. The crucial revelation came along with the monumental development that the bolt-action rifle, which is believed to have fired the single shot at the university, was discovered by investigators in a nearby wooded area.

Consequently, a footage was also released, catching sight of the potential killer fleeing the area by running on rooftop and then sliding off the side of the building. Along came the message that the FBI was also announcing a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer was quick to call out the questionable series of events. Labelling it a “slap in the face” to Kirk, she added, “This is honestly embarrassing for the FBI and our country.”

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Kash Patel also facing the ire of fired FBI employees

These concerns tied to the Charlie Kirk investigation have come to light shortly after a lawsuit accused Patel of furthering Trump’s agenda. The Trump administration, including the FBI director, was sued this week, drawing attention to the alleged unlawful termination of three agents – former FBI acting Director Brian Driscoll, Steven Jensen, former assistant director in charge of the Washington field office, and Spencer Evans, former special agent in charge of the Las Vegas field office.

The suit, also addressing Attorney General Pam Bondi, alleged that Patel told his employees that he “had to fire” certain individuals because “his ability to keep his own job depended on the removal of the agents who worked on cases involving the President.”

The inflammatory documents further suggested that the FBI director said that there was no way of stopping these firings as the agency “tried to put the President in jail and he hasn’t forgotten.”