A scathing internal report, based on confidential accounts from two dozen FBI insiders, has painted a picture of an agency in crisis under its new director, Kash Patel. The 115-page assessment, leaked to the New York Post, describes the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a 'rudderless ship' that has become 'internally paralysed by fear' during Patel's first six months in charge.
A Leadership Crisis at the FBI
The report, prepared for the US Senate and House judiciary committees, compiles testimony from 24 active and retired FBI special agents and analysts. It delivers a brutal verdict on Patel's leadership, with multiple sources independently characterising him as being 'in over his head'. One source stated he 'lacks the requisite knowledge or deep understanding of all the FBI’s unique and complex investigative and intelligence programmes'.
A central theme is a pervasive climate of anxiety within the bureau. Managers are reportedly 'afraid of losing their jobs' and now wait for explicit direction from the director rather than taking initiative. This paralysis is linked to Patel's own history; prior to his nomination, he publicly accused the FBI of being part of a 'deep state' conspiracy against former President Donald Trump and called for its radical restructuring.
Controversial Incidents and Social Media Focus
The report details several incidents that have fuelled internal criticism. A particularly revealing anecdote concerns the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination on 10 September. The following day, Director Patel flew to Provo, Utah, but refused to leave the FBI jet without an appropriate raid jacket. According to a 'highly respected' source cited in the document, agents working the Kirk investigation had to stop their work to find him a medium-sized jacket.
When a female agent's jacket was procured, Patel complained about missing Velcro patches on the sleeves. He reportedly refused to disembark until SWAT team members removed patches from their own uniforms and attached them to the borrowed jacket. The same source confirmed Patel later 'yelled' at the special agent-in-charge with an 'expletive-laden tirade' over perceived mistakes in the case.
Both Patel and his deputy director, Dan Bongino, face criticism for an excessive focus on social media. Employees reported hearing more about the bureau's mission from leadership's posts than through official internal channels. Bongino, who lacks traditional FBI experience and was granted a waiver from standard polygraph screening, was described by one source as 'something of a clown'.
Broader Concerns and a Mixed Legacy
The assessment arrives amid ongoing controversies from Patel's tenure. Before his confirmation in February 2025, nearly 60 civil rights organisations urged the Senate to reject his nomination. Since taking office, he has faced flak for refusing to release Jeffrey Epstein files and for a premature arrest announcement in the Kirk case that had to be retracted.
Not all feedback was negative. Some sources welcomed Patel's rollback of diversity initiatives and praised certain immigration enforcement operations. However, the report's anonymous authors, who sought confidentiality to protect their positions, told the Post that anecdotal reporting skewed '80/20 negative'. They concluded by advising Patel and Bongino to heed the criticism.
The report also notes unease among international allies, with sources indicating that foreign law enforcement and intelligence agencies fear the Trump administration 'may cause long-term damage to international cooperation'. The congressional judiciary committees named in the report are set to receive a copy of the assessment this week, while the White House has recently denied media reports that Trump plans to fire Patel.
