The FBI announced on Wednesday that it has ended its relationship with the Anti-Dismissal League (ADL), as manager Kash Patel voiced strong criticism of organizations working against anti-Semitism.
Patel specifically targeted former FBI director James Comey, mentioning a speech Comey gave to the ADL in 2014, which he referred to as a “love letter.” He noted that Comey reiterated his support for the group in 2017. Comey, often criticized by President Trump, was charged last month.
“James Comey wrote a ‘love letter’ to ADL,” Patel stated, adding that the former director included contributions from an FBI agent.
“Those days are over. The FBI will not collaborate with politically motivated watchdogs,” he declared.
This announcement followed the ADL’s abrupt ending of its extremism glossary, which had accumulated over 1,000 entries over the years. While it had served as a vital informational resource, Patel suggested that the entries had become outdated.
Although not directly mentioned by Patel, the glossary included a reference to Turning Point USA (TPUSA), an organization founded by right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed at an event last month.
In background information from the ADL, TPUSA was noted for promoting Christian nationalism and had been updated after Kirk’s death. The organization faced scrutiny due to past statements associated with biases against various groups, including the Black and LGBTQ communities, particularly transgender individuals.
The archived page stated that while TPUSA claims to reject white supremacist views, the presence of white nationalists at their events has been an issue. Additionally, some far-right figures have participated in TPUSA’s gatherings.
The ADL did not respond specifically to Patel’s accusations but reaffirmed its support for the FBI, emphasizing their respect for law enforcement across the nation in safeguarding all Americans, irrespective of their background.
The statement highlighted an urgent commitment to tackle the rising tide of anti-Semitism and to protect Jewish communities.
Patel’s comments represent a notable critique of the ADL amid the Trump administration’s initiatives to combat anti-Semitism within law enforcement.
Much of this effort seems focused on universities and their responses to the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
There’s some ambiguity regarding the nature of the partnership between the FBI and ADL. In a speech back in 2017, Comey acknowledged the ADL’s role in documenting incidents of anti-Semitism and hate crimes, while praising its efforts against discrimination.
“We’re working with ADL to connect with the communities we serve,” Comey had said. He emphasized the importance of trust and solidarity, encouraging people to reach out to the FBI when needed.
Patel’s predecessor, Christopher Wray, previously noted that anti-Semitic acts represent a significant portion of all hate crimes, highlighting that the Jewish community, although just 2.4% of the U.S. population, accounts for approximately 60% of religion-based hate crime victims.
