White House insiders revealed that Republicans are turning on FBI Director Kash Patel, claiming he has lost the support of top officials — even as President Donald Trump continues to publicly back him, according to a Fox News report.
"The White House, [Attorney General Pam] Bondi, [Deputy Attorney General Todd] Blanche, they have no confidence in Kash," a source with knowledge of ongoing personnel discussions told Fox News. "Pam in particular cannot stand him. Blanche either," they said.
Former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is set to be sworn into a "new power-sharing role" with deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino Monday, Fox reported. Bailey was onceTrump’s top pick to lead the FBI.
"Any suggestion that I was brought in to replace anyone in leadership at the FBI or spin my appointment into a sign of division, is simply false - I am honored to serve the FBI and Department of Justice as we work together to keep our nation safe," Bailey said in a statement to the network.
Bondi and Blanche have denied that they want to remove Patel, who has been criticized for his handling of the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation last week.
With scrutiny increasing on an investigation that appears to be marked by blunders, the FBI director and Bongino both pointed the finger at their subordinates, with Patel calling what transpired a “Mickey Mouse operation” when he was not swearing at them.
"Total amateur hour," a federal official told Fox.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox took the lead on Friday during a press conference announcing suspect 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was in custody. One source told Fox that "letting Kash talk much could f--- up the prosecution."
As criticism over the handling of the Kirk killing continues, a larger concern is looming. Three former high-ranking FBI officials filed a lawsuit on the same day Kirk was shot. They accuse Patel, Bondi and their agencies of unlawfully firing them as "part of a political purge" directed by the DOJ and the White House. Patel had promised against this during his Senate confirmation hearings.
Patel allegedly wielded authority that belongs solely to the president, Fox reported, citing Article II of the Constitution in the dismissal letters he signed. This misstep could create a legal minefield for the FBI, DOJ and Executive Office of the President, according to sources who are familiar with the litigation.
"Either way, it’s bad: Kash cannot exercise the powers of the president, and the president can’t fire these officials," an unnamed source with knowledge of the lawsuit told Fox.