A blistering internal report, compiled by a national alliance of current and former FBI personnel, has painted a devastating picture of the bureau under its new director, Kash Patel. The 115-page assessment, based on confidential accounts from 24 sources within the agency, describes an organisation that is 'internally paralysed by fear' and being led like a 'rudderless ship'.
A Leadership Crisis at the Top
The leaked document, prepared for congressional judiciary committees and obtained by the New York Post, delivers a scathing verdict on Patel's first six months in charge. Multiple sources independently characterised the director as being 'in over his head', with one stating he 'lacks the requisite knowledge or deep understanding' of the FBI's complex operations.
According to the report, senior managers are now too afraid to take any initiative without explicit instructions from Patel, terrified of losing their jobs. This climate of anxiety is partly attributed to Patel's own statements before his nomination, when he accused the FBI of being part of a 'deep state' conspiracy against former President Donald Trump and called for its radical overhaul.
Controversial Incidents and Social Media Focus
The report catalogues a series of incidents that have damaged morale and raised eyebrows. It details how, on September 11th, the day after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Patel reportedly refused to leave his FBI jet in Provo, Utah, without an appropriate raid jacket. Agents had to halt their investigation to find him one, and he then refused to disembark until SWAT team members removed Velcro patches from their own uniforms to attach to the borrowed jacket.
The same source confirmed that Patel later 'yelled' at the special agent in charge of the Kirk case with an 'expletive-laden tirade' over perceived mistakes, prompting an apology from Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Both Patel and Bongino face criticism for an apparent over-reliance on social media, with employees saying they learn more about the bureau's direction from leadership's posts than through official channels.
In another episode, Patel allegedly ordered polygraph tests for personnel at Quantico after details of his request for an FBI firearm were leaked, an order one senior figure called 'needlessly punitive'.
Mixed Reviews and International Concerns
Not all feedback within the report was negative. Some sources welcomed Patel's rollback of diversity and equity initiatives and praised certain immigration enforcement operations. A few also noted improved prosecutorial support compared to the previous administration.
However, the overwhelming tone is one of crisis. The anonymous authors state the anecdotal reporting 'skewed 80/20 negative'. The assessment also raises alarm bells internationally, noting that law enforcement partners in allied countries fear the Trump administration 'may cause long-term damage to international cooperation'.
The report arrives amidst ongoing controversy surrounding Patel's tenure, which began with his contentious confirmation in February 2025. The White House has recently denied rumours that Trump plans to fire him. The congressional judiciary committees named in the report are set to receive a formal copy this week.
