FBI Director Kash Patel 's leadership came under question this week during the investigation of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk's assassination.
Authorities announced the arrest Friday of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the fatal shooting of the conservative activist at Utah Valley University, but Patel's handling of the investigation came under fire after he incorrectly asserted the shooter had been captured shortly after the slaying, forcing a swift retraction, and current and former FBI agents criticized his leadership.
“It was amateur hour,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “He was doing a running commentary. Historically, the FBI keeps its mouth closed until it believes it’s the right time and the right message.”
Robinson was arrested after his father notified the family's pastor, who then alerted law enforcement, and many social media users said the case was cracked more in spite of Patel's leadership than because of it.
"Kash Patel Awards Himself FBI Medal of Valor For Heroically Being Told About The Alleged Shooter Turning Himself In," posted writer A.G. Pasquella.
"'FBI Director Kash Patel did not disclose for hours that Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer had been arrested so that President Donald Trump could make the announcement on television," said Bluesky user "Murdered by Bluesky," linking to a Daily Beast report. "It is hard to imagine a more incompetent, corrupt FBI leader and that's saying a lot given the FBI's tenure."
"The FBI under Kash Patel was utterly incompetent this week, and the only thing that ultimately saved their asses was a father having enough integrity to turn his son into the authorities," opined writer Charlotte Clymer.
"Kash Patel has the look of a guy who just Googled 'how to FBI' five minutes before the press conference," noted Bluesky user Sundae Gurl.
"Patel saying 'see you in Valhalla' to someone who very much identified as a Christian is a perfect example of how dumb everything is right now," sighed journalist Steve Mullis.
"Spoiler: the police did not, in fact, 'get him,' his dad turned him in and all Kash Patel’s FBI did was repeatedly release false information," added writer Jill Filipovic.
"Kash Patel claiming credit for solving an investigation where they got the wrong suspects twice & had to beg public for help which led his own father turning him in does not make a historic win for FBI," said comedian Noel Casler. "All I saw from Kash was that little cross-eyed mf--- peacocking at pressers."
"The FBI agents I've met take their jobs really seriously," posted reporter Billy Binion. "I'd like to think Kash Patel means well, but I can't imagine how it must feel to have to answer to him right now. He...did not meet the moment."
"I'm grateful that Utah authorities have captured the suspect in the Charlie Kirk assassination, and think it is time for Republicans to assess whether Kash Patel is the right man to run the FBI," added conservative activist Christopher Rufo. "He performed terribly in the last few days, and it's not clear whether he has the operational expertise to investigate, infiltrate, and disrupt the violent movements — of whatever ideology — that threaten the peace in the United States."