FBI Director Kash Patel Saturday made a comment that stood out to some experts as implausible, or worse, completely false.
Patel over the weekend addressed the arrest of Tyler Robinson, who stands accused of using a rifle to shoot and kill conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, on social media.
"Against all law enforcement recommendations, we demanded the video footage and enhanced stills of the suspect be released to the public," Patel wrote on X Saturday. "Robinson’s father, who ultimately turned him in to authorities, told law enforcement that he recognized his son in that released video."
That led national security analyst Juliette Kayyem to weigh in, asking, "Who or what agency would recommend NOT releasing the images to the public?"
"Crowd sourcing in a manhunt investigation is standard operating procedure now. Utah public officials were very supportive of engaging the public," Kayyem added. "This statement can't possibly be true."
Political scientist Norman Ornstein added Saturday, "Not merely an utter incompetent. A liar too."
Journalist Glenn Thrush simply wrote, "Wow."
Who or what agency would recommend NOT releasing the images to the public? Crowd sourcing in a manhunt investigation is standard operating procedure now. Utah public officials were very supportive of engaging the public. This statement can't possibly be true. https://t.co/uSVhcELZVo
— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) September 13, 2025