Kash Patel Rips Into FBI Over Handling of Charlie Kirk Shooting Investigation
Former Trump adviser Kash Patel has taken aim at the FBI in what reports describe as a profanity-laced tirade, criticizing agents for what he called “Mickey Mouse operations” in the aftermath of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination at a Utah university.
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According to The New York Times, Patel addressed roughly 200 FBI agents on a Thursday conference call, blasting the bureau’s response to the case. His anger reportedly centered on what he saw as sluggish communication, particularly the fact that the Salt Lake City field office did not send him a photograph of the suspected shooter until 12 hours after Kirk was gunned down.
Patel’s Sharp Words and “Mickey Mouse” Allegation
Patel, never one to mince words, allegedly punctuated his frustration with profanity, suggesting that the FBI’s handling of the high-profile killing was sloppy and unprofessional. Branding their work “Mickey Mouse operations,” he implied the agency’s processes lacked the seriousness and urgency demanded by such a tragic and politically sensitive event.
While the precise language of his rant hasn’t been released in full, Patel’s comments fit a familiar pattern of his outspoken criticism of federal law enforcement in recent years.
Timeline of the Shooting and Aftermath
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday at a Utah university. Within hours, Patel took to social media to announce that the suspect was in custody, an unusually fast and public statement for a senior figure connected to the investigation.
The Hill reported that Patel’s frustrations grew when internal information like the suspect’s photograph took half a day to reach him, despite the urgency of the situation.
Larger Questions About FBI Operations
This clash raises deeper questions about communication breakdowns and bureaucratic hurdles within the FBI during high-pressure moments. If Patel’s claims are accurate, the delay in relaying such crucial evidence could be viewed as more than just a misstep it may reflect systemic inefficiencies in how the bureau coordinates across offices in real time.
Critics argue that the FBI’s ability to respond quickly and cohesively to politically sensitive crimes is under a microscope, especially when the victim is a nationally recognized figure like Charlie Kirk. Patel’s blunt critique only amplifies that scrutiny.
What Comes Next
For now, the suspected gunman remains in custody, and investigators continue piecing together details about the shooting. But Patel’s fiery rebuke of the FBI ensures that the bureau itself will remain part of the story, not just the crime.
The FBI has not formally responded to Patel’s comments, and it remains unclear whether his tirade will prompt internal reviews or policy changes. What is certain is that Patel’s words, raw and unfiltered, have once again thrust him into the national spotlight this time as a critic of the very agency he once worked alongside.
Bottom Line: The Charlie Kirk shooting is a tragedy already layered
with political tension. Now, Kash Patel’s very public, profanity-filled dressing-down of the FBI adds another chapter one that highlights not just the crime itself, but the messy human realities of how major investigations are handled behind closed doors.
