FBI Director Kash Patel has alarmed some members of the bureau by taking what they say is an overly casual approach to the role. For decades, FBI directors have been holding a morning meeting daily at 8.30 am. During the meeting, the FBI head is presented the most important intelligence and law enforcement information gleaned from thousands of agents and analysts across the country, current and former FBI officials say.
Trouble for Kash Patel?
But the schedule has changed for Kash Patel. Unlike his recent predecessors, Patel is receiving the “director’s brief” two days a week, according to two current officials with direct knowledge and two former FBI and Justice Department officials familiar with the matter. Patel has also stopped holding the weekly Wednesday-afternoon video teleconference with FBI leaders, one current and one former FBI official told NBC News.
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Kash Patel’s conduct in his new role has sparked concern among both current and former officials at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI. According to interviews conducted by NBC News with over a dozen individuals familiar with the matter, including those who have served or are currently serving in federal law enforcement, Patel’s behavior has raised red flags about his level of professionalism and commitment.
For instance, officials who were involved in the daily morning briefings for the director stated that the briefing schedule had to be adjusted due to Patel’s repeated tardiness. Two current and two former officials from the FBI and the Justice Department, all of whom were closely involved with these high-level meetings, confirmed that Patel’s inconsistent attendance and lack of punctuality disrupted the usual flow of operations. The director’s briefings are a central part of federal law enforcement coordination, and delays or missed appointments are considered highly unusual and unprofessional at that level of government service.In addition to his spotty attendance record, Patel has also attracted public attention for his frequent presence at high-profile events, including professional sports games. Social media posts and flight records show that Patel has been photographed and seen alongside celebrities at various sporting venues across the country.
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These appearances have occurred with enough regularity that they’ve prompted questions internally and externally about how he is balancing his official responsibilities with his personal and public engagements.
While it’s not unusual for senior officials to maintain some public visibility or attend events, Patel’s pattern of travel and leisure, particularly during a time when his role demands focused attention, has fueled further skepticism.
Critics argue that this behavior underscores a broader issue with how he views the significance of his position. Meanwhile, supporters may contend that his off-hours appearances are unrelated to his professional duties, though the timing and frequency have still raised eyebrows.
Overall, the combination of Patel’s reportedly lax approach to critical briefings and his active social calendar has led to growing unease among DOJ and FBI personnel regarding the effectiveness and commitment of his leadership.
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A longtime Patel associate who asked not to be named defended the new director. “I’ve known Kash for a long time,” they said. “The only thing he’s doing late into the night is going to the gym.”
Countering allegations that Patel is not serious about the job, one FBI official told NBC that these are not even remotely true. “I myself am with him in many of these meetings. He asks tons of questions and pushes staff to get to the point and present solutions,” said the official. “To a bad-faith individual who loves to bloviate and gossip to NBC News, that might come off as lack of interest. It’s not. It’s being efficient with time and wanting to fix problems.
A former FBI official recently commented on MSNBC’s Morning Joe that Patel is spotted more at nightclubs than in the office. The statement had to be retracted by MSNBC which said it did not verify the statement. Williamson said he meets Kash Patel every day in the office and hence the allegations that Patel is not in the office and working remotely from his home in Las Vegas were bogus.
