In the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University, FBI Director Kash Patel has come under intense scrutiny for his decisions and public statements during the investigation. Former FBI officials, administration sources, and even some within conservative circles have questioned Patel’s leadership, citing actions that they say undermined public confidence and distracted from the case. As Patel prepares for congressional hearings this week, these criticisms highlight broader concerns about turmoil within the FBI under his watch.
Premature Posts and a High-Profile Dinner
Just hours after Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event, Patel posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 6:21 p.m. that “the subject” in the killing was “in custody.” This announcement came amid confusion, as Utah officials, including Governor Spencer Cox, were still publicly stating that the gunman remained at large. Roughly 90 minutes later, Patel corrected himself, noting that the individuals detained had been released after interrogation.
Four former senior FBI officials told NBC News that these posts were hasty and unnecessary, potentially eroding trust in the bureau at a critical time. Christopher O’Leary, a former FBI counterterrorism official and MSNBC contributor, described the messages as creating a perception of disorganization. “They gave the public the perception that the FBI is not that organized at a time when the public is concerned because there’s an unfolding crisis,” O’Leary said. He emphasized the need for “accurate strategic messaging” to reassure the public that authorities had the situation under control.
Adding to the controversy, two sources familiar with Patel’s whereabouts revealed that he dined at Rao’s, an exclusive New York restaurant known for its hard-to-get reservations, shortly after the shooting. Rao’s opens at 7 p.m., around the time of Patel’s second post. While it’s unclear if he was at the restaurant when he published the update, critics argue that such an outing so soon after a high-profile assassination raised questions about his priorities during a crisis.
When asked for comment, an FBI spokesperson defended the bureau’s work, stating, “The FBI worked with our law enforcement partners in Utah to bring to justice the individual allegedly responsible for the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk, and we will continue to be transparent with the American people with real-time updates as we are able.”
Tense Internal Calls and Travel to Utah
The day after the shooting, Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, held a profanity-laced conference call with FBI agents across the country. According to reports from The New York Times and sources speaking to NBC News and the Associated Press, Patel expressed frustration over pressure to make an arrest and criticized Salt Lake City agents for not sharing suspect photos with him quickly enough.
That afternoon, Patel traveled from New York—where he had attended 9/11 anniversary ceremonies—to Utah. Two administration officials said he was advised not to speak publicly or appear at news conferences until an arrest was made. Patel did attend a Thursday evening press briefing with state and local officials but remained silent, a decision one official called “the right” one.
However, a former senior FBI official criticized the trip itself, arguing it could have pulled resources away from the investigation. “No serious director would show up at this stage,” the official said. “They can’t help. They can only distract. Every agent needed to support the visit is an agent not available to work the case.”
Post-Arrest Claims and Broader FBI Turmoil
On September 12, 2025, authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in connection with the killing. The next day, Patel posted on X that the FBI had “solved the case by overruling other law enforcement agencies” and demanding the release of video footage and enhanced stills of the suspect. He noted that Robinson’s father recognized his son from the footage and turned him in.
Critics, including O’Leary, viewed this as “grandstanding,” with one former official calling investigations “not a publicity contest.” A current law enforcement official, speaking anonymously, said the incident highlighted Patel’s “public inability to meet the moment as a leader.”
These missteps come amid wider upheaval at the FBI. On the same day as Kirk’s assassination, three senior executives filed a lawsuit alleging they were fired in an August purge as retribution for resisting Trump administration demands. The suit mentions Brian Driscoll, who as acting director early in Trump’s term, opposed releasing names of agents involved in the January 6 Capitol riot investigation.
Under Patel, the FBI has seen significant turnover in field office leadership and a shift in priorities toward street crime, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration—aligning with President Donald Trump’s agenda. Patel has defended these changes, saying they allow “good cops to be good cops” and have led to thousands of arrests. However, critics worry this diverts attention from traditional FBI focuses like public corruption and national security threats.
Patel has also pursued investigations into Trump’s past grievances, including a renewed probe into the 2016 Russia election interference inquiry, targeting figures like former FBI Director James Comey and CIA Director John Brennan. This has drawn accusations of politicizing the bureau.
Defenses and Upcoming Hearings
White House officials have staunchly defended Patel. One stated that he is “working night and day” on the case and that questioning his dedication—especially given his friendship with Kirk—is “disgusting political gamesmanship.” Another affirmed President Trump’s confidence in Patel, noting that Trump praised the handling of the investigation.
Despite these defenses, conservative strategist Christopher Rufo publicly questioned whether Patel is “the right man to run the FBI.” As Patel testifies before Congress on September 16 and 17, 2025, Democrats are expected to grill him on the Kirk probe, the executive purges, and the bureau’s shifting priorities. Gregory Brower, a former FBI congressional affairs official, stressed the importance of Patel’s performance: “Because of the skepticism that some members of the Senate have had and still have, it’s extremely important that he perform very well at these oversight hearings.”
The Kirk investigation, already fraught due to the victim’s ties to Trump and Patel, underscores the challenges facing the FBI in an era of political violence and eroded public trust. As the case moves toward justice for Kirk, Patel’s leadership remains a flashpoint in the national conversation.