A blistering 115-page dossier has surfaced, painting a troubling picture of Kash Patel’s leadership at the FBI, with agents and insiders questioning his competence barely six months into his tenure.
The report, compiled by a coalition of active-duty and retired FBI agents frustrated with past DEI policies under the Biden administration, labels the agency as 'a rudderless ship' under Patel’s command, according to the Daily Mail
From allegations of misusing government resources to a fixation on public image, the document lays bare a series of missteps. It highlights Patel’s controversial decisions, like deploying a SWAT team to protect his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, and using a government jet for personal trips.
One striking incident in the dossier describes Patel’s reaction after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah. On September 11, arriving in Provo, he allegedly refused to leave the plane without an FBI raid jacket, pulling agents off the investigation to fetch one.
The jacket, belonging to a female agent, lacked proper Velcro patches, prompting a reported outburst from Patel. SWAT team members had to strip patches from their own uniforms to appease him before he would disembark.
This tantrum, as described in the report, underscores a broader concern among agents about Patel’s priorities. Many see this focus on optics as a distraction from the critical work of law enforcement during a high-stakes moment.
Patel’s decisions around Wilkins have drawn particular scrutiny, with the report noting his assignment of elite FBI agents from multiple field offices to guard her at events like the NRA’s annual conference. He reportedly berated a team commander for leaving early after determining no threat existed, calling it a failure of command.
Further, the dossier reveals Patel used a government plane for personal outings, including a golf trip to Scotland with extensive security arrangements. Agents coordinated with foreign authorities to ensure his protection, diverting resources from other pressing duties.
These actions fuel a narrative of privilege over duty, especially when agents already feel stretched thin. The report suggests such behavior erodes trust within the bureau, where merit and mission should reign supreme.
Patel’s handling of public communication also takes a hit in the review, particularly after Kirk’s assassination. His premature announcement on X that a suspect was in custody, only to retract it hours later, sowed confusion and undermined credibility.
The report quotes an agent saying Patel broke “Bureau tradition and norms by taking credit for the good work by other agencies.” Such self-promotion, especially while dining at a high-end New York restaurant during the crisis, paints a picture of detachment from the ground realities agents face.
Alongside Patel, his deputy Dan Bongino faces harsh words, with agents calling him “something of a clown” unfit for the role. One source recalled Bongino’s remark that “the truth is for chumps,” a statement that left staff stunned and disheartened.
Despite the overwhelmingly critical tone, the dossier acknowledges a shift under Patel toward prioritizing casework and threats over past politicized agendas. The author's note, “the anecdotal reporting from FBI personnel skewed 80/20 negative,” yet they insist the intent was not to create a hit piece.
Even Trump allies within the agency admit Patel struggles, with some describing him as “not very good” and possibly insecure in the role. This candor from supporters hints at deeper structural challenges that no amount of loyalty can mask.
While the White House stands by Patel, affirming his work to restore integrity to the FBI, the weight of agent discontent looms large. For a bureau meant to embody trust and precision, these revelations signal a rocky road ahead under leadership that seems more preoccupied with image than impact.