FBI Director Kash Patel faced mounting criticism after mishandling the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s assassin.
Just hours after Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University, Patel dined at Rao’s, a high-end Italian restaurant in New York City.
He posted on X that a “subject” in the murder was in custody. Hours later, he walked back the statement, saying the person had been released.
Sources confirmed Patel was in New York at the time, hundreds of miles from Utah, as the FBI fumbled the investigation.
Meanwhile, 71-year-old George Zinn was briefly detained at the scene before being released. Authorities confirmed he was not connected to the killing.
Patel’s initial announcement created confusion as law enforcement scrambled to locate the true suspect.
The FBI’s errors drew harsh reactions from officials and the public, as the Daily Mail reported.
“Our investigation continues, and we will release information in the interest of transparency,” Patel said after retracting his earlier post.
Conservative activist Chris Rufo criticized Patel on X. “He performed terribly in the last few days, and it’s not clear whether he has the operational expertise to investigate, infiltrate, and disrupt violent movements,” Rufo wrote.
Senator Dick Durbin called Patel’s handling “amateur hour.” He said, “Historically, the FBI keeps its mouth closed until it believes it’s the right time and the right message.”
Daily Mail reported that Patel allegedly held an expletive-laden call with over 200 FBI personnel Thursday morning. He reportedly warned agents he would no longer tolerate “Mickey Mouse operations.”
The New York Times said Patel reportedly berated his team for bungling the investigation while simultaneously celebrating the wrongful detention of Zinn.
Patel specifically criticized Salt Lake City FBI agents for failing to provide a photo of the suspect for 12 hours. Weeks earlier, he had dismissed the head of the Salt Lake City field office for unclear reasons.
Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, reportedly felt immense pressure to lead a successful manhunt. Their anxiety, the NYT noted, may have contributed to the missteps in the investigation.
The chaos intensified scrutiny over Patel’s leadership and operational judgment. Critics questioned whether a former MAGA podcaster could handle a case of this high-profile magnitude.
NBC News highlighted the public confusion. Patel’s contradictory posts undermined confidence in the FBI’s ability to swiftly identify and detain Kirk’s killer.
The failed attempts to apprehend the correct suspect left the bureau scrambling. Patel now faces calls for accountability from both political opponents and conservative leaders.
The FBI emphasized its ongoing cooperation with Utah authorities. “We will continue to be transparent with the American people with real-time updates as we are able,” the agency said.
Patel’s conduct has left a lasting impression on the investigation. Observers say the FBI’s credibility has suffered as a result of the bungled pursuit and his questionable decisions.
