Kash Patel, the FBI director, reinforced his earlier remarks suggesting the budget request from the Trump administration for 2026 was inadequate. During a Senate Budget subcommittee meeting on Thursday, he stated that the FBI “makes the mission work with the budget we gave.”
“It’s about crafting this budget and ensuring it meets the operational needs of the FBI,” Patel explained to the senators.
He expressed a desire for increased funding, stating, “I could do more with more money.” This sentiment echoed comments he made just a day prior at a House hearing, where he pressed for more than the administration’s proposed response to the 2026 budget request.
In a budget proposal unveiled last Friday, the administration suggested a $545 million reduction aimed at “reforming and streamlining the FBI.” Trump officials claimed this was to lower overhead in Washington and to keep existing law enforcement personnel, while also addressing concerns regarding the agency’s “weaponization.”
Congress approved a funding bill in March that maintained government operations at most levels for the fiscal year 2024, with additional funds made available under prior suspension laws.
However, during a House budget hearing on Wednesday, Patel highlighted a need for over $11 billion for the agency in 2026. He faced backlash from Democrats about the administration’s budget requests, which exceed the FBI’s current funding level by about $5 billion.
Rep. Rosa Delauro (D-CT) challenged Patel on the proposed cuts, asking how they would impact enforcement or national security functions. “If we’re down 5% below the strict freeze on the FBI operating budget, that $5 billion cut seems significant,” she noted. Patel responded, pointing out that the proposed budget was designed to cover the FBI adequately without affecting positions.
When asked if the president’s proposal was “wrong,” Patel clarified that Trump’s request should be viewed as a proposal, and he was engaged in a budgetary process to advocate for more funding.
The presidential budget request includes significant cuts to non-defense funding, suggesting reductions of over $160 billion, with an approximately 8% decrease in the Department of Justice’s budget compared to 2025 levels.
At the Thursday hearing, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS), who oversees DOJ funding, expressed worries about the suggested reductions impacting the FBI’s ability to keep up vacant positions as agents, analysts, and staff retire. He remarked that after years of flat funding, the FBI has been forced to absorb rising inflation costs.
Patel countered that he believes the administration’s budget plan wouldn’t lead to the loss of active agents.
Patel also faced scrutiny for not providing a spending plan for 2026, leading Sen. Patty Murray to criticize the lack of compliance with legal requirements. “Expense planning is mandatory by law,” she stated. “We haven’t received it yet, which is, frankly, ridiculous.” When pressed about when the plan would be available, Patel mentioned he did not have a specific timeline.
Murray further inquired if he was disregarding the law, to which Patel replied he was adhering to legal protocols while collaborating with various partners to secure the necessary budget.
