In a tense meeting on Thursday morning, FBI director Kash Patel reportedly expressed frustration with his team regarding the investigation into the murder of Charlie Kirk.
More than 200 agents were on the online call, during which Patel criticized the operation as a “Mickey Mouse” effort. Sources noted that it was rare for him to refrain from swearing during such discussions.
Throughout the call, Patel and deputy director Dan Bongino underscored the urgency of apprehending Kirk’s killer. Patel particularly took issue with agents in Salt Lake City for failing to provide him with images of the suspect until twelve hours later, according to reports.
Both Patel and Bongino flew to Utah that same day to take direct control of the investigation.
The FBI arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, in connection with Kirk’s shooting on Friday. The arrest followed a call he made to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, during which he seemingly confessed to the crime, as indicated by Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
Kirk had been filmed speaking at an event at Utah Valley University the previous Wednesday. That evening, Patel posted on Social Platform X that the FBI had detained “the subject of a horrifying shooting,” but later clarified that the individual was released after law enforcement questioned him.
The missteps made that Wednesday had consequences for Patel, as several allies voiced criticism of his leadership and questioned whether he was the right person to lead the FBI.
“His recent performance raises doubts about whether he has the operational skills to tackle ideological violence effectively,” someone noted on X.
Patel’s background includes his roles as a former federal prosecutor and chief of staff at the Department of Defense. However, his limited law enforcement experience has led to skepticism regarding his capabilities.
Following the meeting, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon remarked on “Bannon’s Warroom” that he was surprised by Patel’s actions, mentioning the “great law enforcement” rhetoric tied to the investigation.
Bannon questioned why Patel had traveled such long distances only to emphasize a “working partnership” in Utah.
