Patel has faced criticism over his girlfriend’s security detail, his reported access to a government jet, and ongoing disagreements with people inside Trump’s circle
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US President Donald Trump is weighing whether to remove FBI Director Kash Patel in the coming months, according to a report by MS NOW quoting three people familiar with internal discussions.
The sources said Trump and senior aides have grown frustrated by recent negative headlines involving Patel, including questions over his use of government resources and reported disputes with other Trump allies.
Patel has faced criticism over his girlfriend’s security detail, his reported access to a government jet, and ongoing disagreements with people inside Trump’s circle. Two of the sources said that Patel is “on thin ice” and that his removal appears closer than ever, with Andrew Bailey — a senior official at the FBI — seen as the likely replacement. They added that Trump could still change course.
The White House has, however, denied the reports. “This story is completely made up,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded on X.
She added: “In fact, when this Fake News published, I was in the Oval Office, where President Trump was meeting with his law enforcement team, including FBI Director Kash Patel. I read the headline to the President and he laughed. He said: “What? That’s totally false. Come on Kash, let’s take a picture to show them you’re doing a great job!”
Earlier, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson had said: “President Trump has assembled the most talented and impressive Administration in history and they are doing an excellent job carrying out the President’s agenda. FBI Director Patel is a critical member of the President’s team and he is working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI.”
Trump also praised Patel during the annual Turkey Pardoning ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, describing him as “very busy doing a great job.” As the audience applauded, the president added: “See, you’ve got a following, Kash.” Last week, in an interview with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade, Trump said: “I do have confidence in Kash, a lot of confidence, and the DOJ.”
MS NOW previously reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi has been frustrated with Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, criticising what were described as premature social media posts about investigative breakthroughs. According to multiple sources cited by the outlet, Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have expressed concern over media scrutiny of Patel’s use of taxpayer-funded resources.
Reports have included a whistleblower’s allegation that Patel took a government plane to watch his girlfriend perform in State College, Pennsylvania — a trip critics characterised as a “date night.” MS NOW also reported that an elite FBI SWAT team had been used as a security detail for Patel’s partner.
Who Might Replace Kash Patel?
Bailey, who previously served as Missouri’s state attorney general, was appointed in September to an unusual position described as co-deputy director, amid concerns within Republican circles over Bongino’s lack of FBI experience. Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and media commentator, joined the bureau’s leadership without a background in FBI investigations.
