Candace Owens launched an attack on FBI Director Kash Patel, saying that she does “not trust him at all.” She accused him of being “upset” because Tulsi Gabbard and Joe Kent are “trying to do their jobs and solve” the murder of Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally who was assassinated on September 10. Owens, a former Turning Point USA member, slammed Patel after The New York Times claimed in an article that he was “alarmed” by an inquiry by Kent, who leads the National Counterterrorism Center.Sharing the image of the article, Owens wrote on X, “This article is literally about how Kash Patel is upset that Joe Kent and Tulsi Gabbard are trying to do their jobs and solve the Charlie Kirk murder case.”“It’s like Kash Patel wants to be the sole point person on this—why?” she added. “I do not trust him at all.”In the article, The New York Times reported, “The inquiry by Joe Kent, the director of the counterterrorism center, alarmed Kash Patel, the director of the F.B.I. Mr. Patel and other senior officials believed Mr. Kent was overstepping, treading on F.B.I. responsibilities and potentially interfering with the investigation and the prosecution of the suspect, Tyler Robinson.”The article further reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the FBI director was “troubled” because Kent went through the FBI material related to the case. It added that Kent’s efforts were “a topic at a White House meeting” which included Patel, Kent and Gabbard. Vice President JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles were also present at the meeting.Earlier in her podcast, Owens said that she wants a “war” with Turning Point USA and everyone who was around Kirk on the day of his assassination, adding that she is determined to find out “what the hell happened on September 10th.”Kirk, 31, was shot dead during a university event in Utah on September 10. Tyler Robinson, the prime accused, was apprehended by the police just 33 hours after his assassination.

Earlier in her podcast, Owens said that she wants a “war” with Turning Point USA and everyone who was around Kirk on the day of his assassination, adding that she is determined to find out “what the hell happened on September 10th.”

Candace Owens launched an attack on FBI Director Kash Patel, saying that she does “not trust him at all.” She accused him of being “upset” because Tulsi Gabbard and Joe Kent are “trying to do their jobs and solve” the murder of Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally who was assassinated on September 10. Owens, a former Turning Point USA member, slammed Patel after The New York Times claimed in an article that he was “alarmed” by an inquiry by Kent, who leads the National Counterterrorism Center. Sharing the image of the article, Owens wrote on X, “This article is literally about how Kash Patel is upset that Joe Kent and Tulsi Gabbard are trying to do their jobs and solve the Charlie Kirk murder case.” “It’s like Kash Patel wants to be the sole point person on this—why?” she added. “I do not trust him at all.” In the article, The New York Times reported, “The inquiry by Joe Kent, the director of the counterterrorism center, alarmed Kash Patel, the director of the F.B.I. Mr. Patel and other senior officials believed Mr. Kent was overstepping, treading on F.B.I. responsibilities and potentially interfering with the investigation and the prosecution of the suspect, Tyler Robinson.” The article further reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the FBI director was “troubled” because Kent went through the FBI material related to the case. It added that Kent’s efforts were “a topic at a White House meeting” which included Patel, Kent and Gabbard. Vice President JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles were also present at the meeting. Earlier in her podcast, Owens said that she wants a “war” with Turning Point USA and everyone who was around Kirk on the day of his assassination, adding that she is determined to find out “what the hell happened on September 10th.” Kirk, 31, was shot dead during a university event in Utah on September 10. Tyler Robinson, the prime accused, was apprehended by the police just 33 hours after his assassination.

Earlier in her podcast, Owens said that she wants a “war” with Turning Point USA and everyone who was around Kirk on the day of his assassination, adding that she is determined to find out “what the hell happened on September 10th.”

‘I do not trust him at all’: Candace Owens questions Kash Patel on Charlie Kirk murder case

Kash Patel, the Director of the Foreign Bureau of Investigation (FBI), fired an employee for displaying a Pride flag in his workplace. The employee was undergoing new agent training at the FBI’s academy in Quantico, Virginia. He received a letter from Patel ordering his immediate dismissal. The employee, during his non-agent role, received several awards for service during his career, had also been a field office diversity program coordinator, and displayed a Pride flag at his workstation.&nbsp;Patel did not specify the reason in the notification of his firing, but he said he agent trainee being summarily dismissed for past “poor judgment” and “an inappropriate display of political signage,” sources told CNN.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chevron-el-segundo-refinery-fire-los-angeles-2025-1759477525735">Massive fire erupts at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles; no injuries reported</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, FBI veterans told CNN that displaying the pride flag at one's desk would not violate any past FBI policy. But this happened due to US President Donald Trump's ideology of getting rid of "Woke" ideology.&nbsp;The firing comes less than a week after Patel fired over a dozen other FBI employees who took a knee while conducting crowd control in 2020 after being confronted by a group of demonstrators in the nation’s capital.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/manchester-attack-uk-police-killed-one-of-three-victims-admits-chief-constable-1759490511532">Manchester attack: UK Police killed one of three victims, admits chief constable</a>&nbsp;“After reviewing the facts and circumstances and considering your probationary status, I have determined that you exercised poor judgment with an inappropriate display of political signage in your work area during your previous assignment in the Los Angeles Field Office," Patel wrote, without specifically referencing the pride flag.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/top-10-countries-uranium-reserves-2023-1759474943170">Global Uranium reserves: Top 10 countries with the largest Uranium reserves</a>&nbsp;"You are being summarily dismissed from your position as a New Agent Trainee at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and removed from the federal service," the letter added.

Patel did not specify the reason in the notification of his firing, but he said he agent trainee being summarily dismissed for past poor judgment and an inappropriate display of political signage.



Kash Patel, the Director of the Foreign Bureau of Investigation (FBI), fired an employee for displaying a Pride flag in his workplace. The employee was undergoing new agent training at the FBI’s academy in Quantico, Virginia. He received a letter from Patel ordering his immediate dismissal. The employee, during his non-agent role, received several awards for service during his career, had also been a field office diversity program coordinator, and displayed a Pride flag at his workstation. Patel did not specify the reason in the notification of his firing, but he said he agent trainee being summarily dismissed for past “poor judgment” and “an inappropriate display of political signage,” sources told CNN. Also read: Massive fire erupts at Chevron refinery near Los Angeles; no injuries reported Meanwhile, FBI veterans told CNN that displaying the pride flag at one's desk would not violate any past FBI policy. But this happened due to US President Donald Trump's ideology of getting rid of "Woke" ideology. The firing comes less than a week after Patel fired over a dozen other FBI employees who took a knee while conducting crowd control in 2020 after being confronted by a group of demonstrators in the nation’s capital. Also read: Manchester attack: UK Police killed one of three victims, admits chief constable “After reviewing the facts and circumstances and considering your probationary status, I have determined that you exercised poor judgment with an inappropriate display of political signage in your work area during your previous assignment in the Los Angeles Field Office," Patel wrote, without specifically referencing the pride flag. Also read: Global Uranium reserves: Top 10 countries with the largest Uranium reserves "You are being summarily dismissed from your position as a New Agent Trainee at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and removed from the federal service," the letter added.

Patel did not specify the reason in the notification of his firing, but he said he agent trainee being summarily dismissed for past poor judgment and an inappropriate display of political signage.&nbsp;

‘Inappropriate display’: Kash Patel fires FBI employee for displaying Pride flag at work desk

When Donald Trump named Kash Patel as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it was framed by allies as a triumph of “reform". In reality, it has been a disaster. Patel is not a guardian of law enforcement independence. He is a partisan soldier, a conspiracy theorist in a suit, and a man whose contempt for democratic norms makes him uniquely unfit to oversee the FBI. Even in Washington’s long history of controversial appointments, Patel stands out as a catastrophic choice — one who threatens to corrode an institution already straining under decades of scandal and politicisation.<h2>A Director With a Grievance, Not a Mission</h2>The FBI demands neutrality. Its director must embody restraint, even-handedness, and fidelity to the Constitution above personal or partisan loyalty. Patel offers the opposite. His career has been built not on investigative integrity but on weaponising grievances. His book Government Gangsters — a feverish screed against what he calls the “deep state” — lists dozens of public servants as enemies of America. Critics were right to call it an “enemies list".&nbsp;&nbsp;That book alone should have disqualified him from ever serving as head of a nonpartisan law enforcement body. To name such a man at the FBI’s helm is like giving J Edgar Hoover’s paranoia a second life, but without Hoover’s instinct for institutional preservation. Patel entered office not as a servant of the law, but as a man determined to settle scores.<h2>The Epstein Files Betrayal</h2>Patel’s unfitness has been most glaring in his handling of the Epstein files. Before his appointment, he tantalised the public with promises of sweeping disclosures, hinting that the FBI would finally expose the powerful figures tied to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Those words electrified his base, who saw Patel as a truth-teller poised to pierce decades of elite cover-ups.&nbsp;Yet once he assumed power, Patel reversed course. In a five-hour House Judiciary Committee hearing this month, he invoked legal restrictions to justify withholding crucial materials, from alleged client lists to suspicious bank transfers flagged by regulators. When pressed by Democrats, Patel sneered: “Should I break the law to satisfy your curiosity?”This line is emblematic of his hypocrisy. For years, Patel treated the Epstein files as a cudgel — proof, he suggested, of corruption at the highest levels. Now that he controls them, he hides behind technicalities. The bait-and-switch reeks not of fidelity to the law but of calculated evasion.&nbsp;Worse, Patel has left survivors and victims’ families in limbo. They were promised accountability, yet under his watch, the Epstein investigation looks more like a burial than a reckoning.<h2>Retaliation Disguised as 'Reform'</h2>Patel has also overseen a wave of firings that reek of political retaliation. Veteran agents allege they were dismissed for pursuing politically inconvenient investigations — the very kind of independence the FBI was designed to protect. Lawsuits are already mounting, and whistleblower complaints suggest a culture of fear has taken root. Patel defends these purges as “reform.” In truth, they hollow out the FBI’s professional core, replacing seasoned investigators with loyalists more concerned with ideology than evidence. The Bureau is weaker, less independent, and more beholden to partisan winds than at any point since Hoover’s reign. This is not reform. It is sabotage.<h2>The Director of Conspiracies</h2>Patel’s credibility was never rooted in fact. He has long trafficked in conspiracy theories that should automatically disqualify any candidate for high office. He has promoted QAnon-adjacent rhetoric. He has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 election. He has indulged in anti-vaccine misinformation during a global pandemic. These are not minor lapses in judgment. They are proof of a worldview unmoored from evidence — precisely the opposite of what the FBI requires from its leader.&nbsp;In congressional hearings, Patel has doubled down on this recklessness. His confrontations with lawmakers reveal a man more interested in grandstanding than answering questions. When Senator Cory Booker accused him of endangering democratic accountability, Patel smirked. When Representative Adam Schiff pressed him on partisan bias, Patel lashed back with insults. Such swagger may thrill his supporters, but it corrodes the dignity of the office he holds.The FBI Director cannot behave like a talk-radio provocateur. Yet that is exactly what Patel has become.<h2>The Charlie Kirk Debacle</h2>Patel’s recklessness is not just rhetorical; it has concrete consequences. When conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed earlier this year, Patel rushed to announce that the suspect was in custody. That claim proved misleading at best and false at worst. The FBI under his command mishandled communications so badly that lawmakers demanded immediate clarification. A Director who cannot manage the basic responsibility of accurate public information cannot be trusted with the far weightier matters of counterterrorism, organised crime, or foreign espionage. The Kirk case is not a minor embarrassment. It is a symptom of deeper rot — a leadership style defined by haste, arrogance, and disregard for facts.<h2>The danger to the Institution</h2>The FBI is not sacred. It has a long, troubling history of overreach, from Hoover’s files on civil rights leaders to the botched handling of the 2020 election. But even in its worst moments, the Bureau retained some veneer of professionalism, some recognition that its legitimacy depended on restraint. Patel is shredding even that. His leadership has already driven public trust in the FBI to historic lows. Gallup and Pew surveys show confidence collapsing across the political spectrum. Each time Patel leans into grievance politics, he confirms the worst fears of his critics: that the Bureau is no longer a guardian of justice but a partisan weapon.&nbsp;This matters. The FBI controls extraordinary powers — surveillance, subpoenas, counterintelligence operations, prosecutions. In the wrong hands, those powers can tilt elections, crush dissent, and undermine democracy itself. To entrust them to Patel is to hand a loaded weapon to a man who has shown again and again that he cannot be trusted.&nbsp;America has endured controversial FBI Directors before. Hoover abused his office for half a century. James Comey became a lightning rod for his handling of the Clinton and Trump investigations. But neither man entered the job with Patel’s combination of paranoia, grievance, and open disdain for institutional independence. Patel is not merely a bad fit. He is a mortal threat to the Bureau’s credibility — and by extension, to the rule of law itself. If the FBI becomes a tool of partisan vengeance, no American is safe from its abuses.<h2>Congress Must Act</h2>The time for patience has passed. Congressional oversight must be relentless. Subpoenas should fly. Depositions must be compelled. Lawsuits from wrongfully terminated agents should be expedited. Patel’s every action should be scrutinised not as the ordinary mistakes of a new director, but as evidence of a man unfit for the role he holds. If Patel cannot — or will not — restore the FBI’s neutrality, then Congress must move toward the most drastic remedies available: demanding his resignation or initiating the process for removal.&nbsp;Kash Patel is not suited to lead the FBI. His enemies list, his betrayals on the Epstein files, his retaliatory purges, his indulgence of conspiracy theories, and his reckless public missteps have already damaged the Bureau’s credibility beyond repair. Every day he remains in office, the FBI drifts further from the impartial guardian it was meant to be and closer to a partisan weapon wielded against political opponents.&nbsp;America deserves better. If Patel will not step aside, Congress must force the issue. The survival of democratic accountability depends on it.&nbsp;Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Why Kash Patel must go: The FBI’s integrity is at stake

When Donald Trump named Kash Patel as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), it was framed by allies as a triumph of “reform". In reality, it has been a disaster. Patel is not a guardian of law enforcement independence. He is a partisan soldier, a conspiracy theorist in a suit, and a man whose contempt for democratic norms makes him uniquely unfit to oversee the FBI. Even in Washington’s long history of controversial appointments, Patel stands out as a catastrophic choice — one who threatens to corrode an institution already straining under decades of scandal and politicisation. A Director With a Grievance, Not a Mission The FBI demands neutrality. Its director must embody restraint, even-handedness, and fidelity to the Constitution above personal or partisan loyalty. Patel offers the opposite. His career has been built not on investigative integrity but on weaponising grievances. His book Government Gangsters — a feverish screed against what he calls the “deep state” — lists dozens of public servants as enemies of America. Critics were right to call it an “enemies list". That book alone should have disqualified him from ever serving as head of a nonpartisan law enforcement body. To name such a man at the FBI’s helm is like giving J Edgar Hoover’s paranoia a second life, but without Hoover’s instinct for institutional preservation. Patel entered office not as a servant of the law, but as a man determined to settle scores. The Epstein Files Betrayal Patel’s unfitness has been most glaring in his handling of the Epstein files. Before his appointment, he tantalised the public with promises of sweeping disclosures, hinting that the FBI would finally expose the powerful figures tied to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Those words electrified his base, who saw Patel as a truth-teller poised to pierce decades of elite cover-ups. Yet once he assumed power, Patel reversed course. In a five-hour House Judiciary Committee hearing this month, he invoked legal restrictions to justify withholding crucial materials, from alleged client lists to suspicious bank transfers flagged by regulators. When pressed by Democrats, Patel sneered: “Should I break the law to satisfy your curiosity?” This line is emblematic of his hypocrisy. For years, Patel treated the Epstein files as a cudgel — proof, he suggested, of corruption at the highest levels. Now that he controls them, he hides behind technicalities. The bait-and-switch reeks not of fidelity to the law but of calculated evasion. Worse, Patel has left survivors and victims’ families in limbo. They were promised accountability, yet under his watch, the Epstein investigation looks more like a burial than a reckoning. Retaliation Disguised as 'Reform' Patel has also overseen a wave of firings that reek of political retaliation. Veteran agents allege they were dismissed for pursuing politically inconvenient investigations — the very kind of independence the FBI was designed to protect. Lawsuits are already mounting, and whistleblower complaints suggest a culture of fear has taken root. Patel defends these purges as “reform.” In truth, they hollow out the FBI’s professional core, replacing seasoned investigators with loyalists more concerned with ideology than evidence. The Bureau is weaker, less independent, and more beholden to partisan winds than at any point since Hoover’s reign. This is not reform. It is sabotage. The Director of Conspiracies Patel’s credibility was never rooted in fact. He has long trafficked in conspiracy theories that should automatically disqualify any candidate for high office. He has promoted QAnon-adjacent rhetoric. He has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 election. He has indulged in anti-vaccine misinformation during a global pandemic. These are not minor lapses in judgment. They are proof of a worldview unmoored from evidence — precisely the opposite of what the FBI requires from its leader. In congressional hearings, Patel has doubled down on this recklessness. His confrontations with lawmakers reveal a man more interested in grandstanding than answering questions. When Senator Cory Booker accused him of endangering democratic accountability, Patel smirked. When Representative Adam Schiff pressed him on partisan bias, Patel lashed back with insults. Such swagger may thrill his supporters, but it corrodes the dignity of the office he holds. The FBI Director cannot behave like a talk-radio provocateur. Yet that is exactly what Patel has become. The Charlie Kirk Debacle Patel’s recklessness is not just rhetorical; it has concrete consequences. When conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed earlier this year, Patel rushed to announce that the suspect was in custody. That claim proved misleading at best and false at worst. The FBI under his command mishandled communications so badly that lawmakers demanded immediate clarification. A Director who cannot manage the basic responsibility of accurate public information cannot be trusted with the far weightier matters of counterterrorism, organised crime, or foreign espionage. The Kirk case is not a minor embarrassment. It is a symptom of deeper rot — a leadership style defined by haste, arrogance, and disregard for facts. The danger to the Institution The FBI is not sacred. It has a long, troubling history of overreach, from Hoover’s files on civil rights leaders to the botched handling of the 2020 election. But even in its worst moments, the Bureau retained some veneer of professionalism, some recognition that its legitimacy depended on restraint. Patel is shredding even that. His leadership has already driven public trust in the FBI to historic lows. Gallup and Pew surveys show confidence collapsing across the political spectrum. Each time Patel leans into grievance politics, he confirms the worst fears of his critics: that the Bureau is no longer a guardian of justice but a partisan weapon. This matters. The FBI controls extraordinary powers — surveillance, subpoenas, counterintelligence operations, prosecutions. In the wrong hands, those powers can tilt elections, crush dissent, and undermine democracy itself. To entrust them to Patel is to hand a loaded weapon to a man who has shown again and again that he cannot be trusted. America has endured controversial FBI Directors before. Hoover abused his office for half a century. James Comey became a lightning rod for his handling of the Clinton and Trump investigations. But neither man entered the job with Patel’s combination of paranoia, grievance, and open disdain for institutional independence. Patel is not merely a bad fit. He is a mortal threat to the Bureau’s credibility — and by extension, to the rule of law itself. If the FBI becomes a tool of partisan vengeance, no American is safe from its abuses. Congress Must Act The time for patience has passed. Congressional oversight must be relentless. Subpoenas should fly. Depositions must be compelled. Lawsuits from wrongfully terminated agents should be expedited. Patel’s every action should be scrutinised not as the ordinary mistakes of a new director, but as evidence of a man unfit for the role he holds. If Patel cannot — or will not — restore the FBI’s neutrality, then Congress must move toward the most drastic remedies available: demanding his resignation or initiating the process for removal. Kash Patel is not suited to lead the FBI. His enemies list, his betrayals on the Epstein files, his retaliatory purges, his indulgence of conspiracy theories, and his reckless public missteps have already damaged the Bureau’s credibility beyond repair. Every day he remains in office, the FBI drifts further from the impartial guardian it was meant to be and closer to a partisan weapon wielded against political opponents. America deserves better. If Patel will not step aside, Congress must force the issue. The survival of democratic accountability depends on it. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

The FBI demands neutrality. Its director must embody restraint, even-handedness, and fidelity to the Constitution above personal or partisan loyalty. Patel offers the opposite

Kash Patel, stated that government files reviewed during his tenure contained no evidence that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked women to others.


USA: Report suggests new details of Trump-Epstein ties emerge

FBI Director Kash Patel gets into a verbal showdown with Democrat senator

FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday (Sep 16) pushed back hard against accusations from Senate Democrats that his removal of senior FBI agents was politically motivated, insisting he had no plans to step down despite reports of unease in the White House over his leadership. "I'm not going anywhere. If you want to criticise my 16 years of service, bring it on," Patel said in his opening remarks before the Senate judiciary committee, where he faced lawmakers for the first time since his February confirmation. What followed was a tense, four-hour hearing marked by angry exchanges.<h2>Kash Patel hearing turns into a war of words</h2>Patel accused Democrats of "weaponising intelligence," at one point calling California senator Adam Schiff "a liar" and "a political buffoon at best" after being pressed about the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell to a lower-security prison. He insisted he had no role in that decision and that a court order prevented him from releasing more documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.<h2>FBI agents who investigated Trump were fired?</h2>Other Democrats questioned Patel's fitness for the job, citing lawsuits by three fired senior FBI officials who allege the bureau has been politicised. According to the lawsuit, they also claim that at one point Kash Patel stated that he had been instructed to fire agents who investigated Trump. Patel refused to comment on the allegations, saying they were the subject of litigation, but said terminations were only made when agents violated their oath, broke the law, or failed to meet bureau standards."The only way, generally speaking, an individual is terminated at the FBI is if they have violated their oath of office, violated the law, or failed to uphold the standards that we need them to have at the FBI," he said."I don't think you're fit to head the bureau," Senator Cory Booker told him, predicting Patel was "not going to be around long. I think this might be your last oversight hearing". Patel shot back: "That rant of false information does not bring this country together".Patel also resisted providing figures on how many agents had been fired, resigned, or retired since Trump became POTUS, accusing Hawaii senator Mazie Hirono of seeking a "media hit" rather than answers.Patel is due to appear Wednesday (Sep 17) before the House Judiciary Committee, where Democrats have signalled plans to press him further on Epstein and the bureau's independence.

FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday in a tense four-hour hearing, where he denied that he has politicised the bureau and conducted a "campaign of retribution" against those who investigated President Donald Trump.

FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday (Sep 16) pushed back hard against accusations from Senate Democrats that his removal of senior FBI agents was politically motivated, insisting he had no plans to step down despite reports of unease in the White House over his leadership. "I'm not going anywhere. If you want to criticise my 16 years of service, bring it on," Patel said in his opening remarks before the Senate judiciary committee, where he faced lawmakers for the first time since his February confirmation. What followed was a tense, four-hour hearing marked by angry exchanges. Kash Patel hearing turns into a war of words Patel accused Democrats of "weaponising intelligence," at one point calling California senator Adam Schiff "a liar" and "a political buffoon at best" after being pressed about the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell to a lower-security prison. He insisted he had no role in that decision and that a court order prevented him from releasing more documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. FBI agents who investigated Trump were fired? Other Democrats questioned Patel's fitness for the job, citing lawsuits by three fired senior FBI officials who allege the bureau has been politicised. According to the lawsuit, they also claim that at one point Kash Patel stated that he had been instructed to fire agents who investigated Trump. Patel refused to comment on the allegations, saying they were the subject of litigation, but said terminations were only made when agents violated their oath, broke the law, or failed to meet bureau standards. "The only way, generally speaking, an individual is terminated at the FBI is if they have violated their oath of office, violated the law, or failed to uphold the standards that we need them to have at the FBI," he said. "I don't think you're fit to head the bureau," Senator Cory Booker told him, predicting Patel was "not going to be around long. I think this might be your last oversight hearing". Patel shot back: "That rant of false information does not bring this country together". Patel also resisted providing figures on how many agents had been fired, resigned, or retired since Trump became POTUS, accusing Hawaii senator Mazie Hirono of seeking a "media hit" rather than answers. Patel is due to appear Wednesday (Sep 17) before the House Judiciary Committee, where Democrats have signalled plans to press him further on Epstein and the bureau's independence.

FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday in a tense four-hour hearing, where he denied that he has politicised the bureau and conducted a "campaign of retribution" against those who investigated President Donald Trump.

Kash Patel denies politicising FBI as hearing turns into war of words: 'Liar,' 'buffoon,' 'false rant'

Patel began his professional journey as a public defender in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where he represented low-income clients in criminal cases. His early work gave him insight into the flaws of the justice system and experience in high-pressure courtroom environments.

Patel began his professional journey as a public defender in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where he represented low-income clients in criminal cases. His early work gave him insight into the flaws of the justice system and experience in high-pressure courtroom environments.&nbsp;

Who is Kash Patel? The Indian-origin FBI director investigating Tyler Robinson, Charlie Kirk case

US President Donald Trump has publicly defended FBI Director Kash Patel after criticism over the bureau’s handling of the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk. “I am very proud of the FBI,” Trump told Fox News on Saturday. “Kash, and everyone else, they have done a great job.”<h2>Who was arrested?</h2>Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been taken into custody and ordered to be held without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed next week.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-sick-enough-to-celebrate-his-death-why-people-are-losing-their-jobs-facing-doxxing-over-social-media-posts-about-charlie-kirk-1757838099662">'Sick enough to celebrate his death': Why people are losing their jobs, facing doxxing over social media posts about Charlie Kirk</a><h2>Why is Patel facing criticism?</h2>Patel has been under fire from both current and former FBI officials, as well as some MAGA supporters online, over his handling of the case. On Wednesday, he wrote on social media that a “subject” was in custody. Just two hours later, he said the individual had been released after interrogation, sparking confusion and frustration among critics.<h2>What is the White House saying?</h2>Despite the backlash, the White House is standing firmly behind Patel. Communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement, “Director Patel and his team worked night and day to find this murderer and bring him to justice. Anyone who doubts his resolve and dedication, especially when Charlie was such a close friend to him, simply is using this extremely sad moment in a disgusting act of political gamesmanship.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/charlie-kirk-shooting-sparks-panic-in-us-false-shooter-reports-cause-chaos-at-naval-academy-and-umass-as-manhunt-for-suspect-continues-1757660486487">Charlie Kirk shooting sparks panic in US: False shooter reports cause chaos at Naval Academy and UMass as manhunt for suspect continues</a><h2>What happens next?</h2>Patel is set to appear before Congress this week, where he is expected to be questioned over the investigation and wider criticisms, including his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The hearing could prove a major test for the FBI director as the political fallout over Kirk’s killing continues.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been taken into custody and ordered to be held without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed next week.

US President Donald Trump has publicly defended FBI Director Kash Patel after criticism over the bureau’s handling of the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk. “I am very proud of the FBI,” Trump told Fox News on Saturday. “Kash, and everyone else, they have done a great job.” Who was arrested? Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been taken into custody and ordered to be held without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed next week. Also read: 'Sick enough to celebrate his death': Why people are losing their jobs, facing doxxing over social media posts about Charlie Kirk Why is Patel facing criticism? Patel has been under fire from both current and former FBI officials, as well as some MAGA supporters online, over his handling of the case. On Wednesday, he wrote on social media that a “subject” was in custody. Just two hours later, he said the individual had been released after interrogation, sparking confusion and frustration among critics. What is the White House saying? Despite the backlash, the White House is standing firmly behind Patel. Communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement, “Director Patel and his team worked night and day to find this murderer and bring him to justice. Anyone who doubts his resolve and dedication, especially when Charlie was such a close friend to him, simply is using this extremely sad moment in a disgusting act of political gamesmanship.” Also read: Charlie Kirk shooting sparks panic in US: False shooter reports cause chaos at Naval Academy and UMass as manhunt for suspect continues What happens next? Patel is set to appear before Congress this week, where he is expected to be questioned over the investigation and wider criticisms, including his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The hearing could prove a major test for the FBI director as the political fallout over Kirk’s killing continues.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed on Friday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been taken into custody and ordered to be held without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed next week.

‘Very proud’: Trump backs FBI chief Kash Patel after Charlie Kirk assassination case

FBI Director Kash Patel is under scrutiny for incorrectly announcing that a suspect had been apprehended in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump. The incident occurred at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where Kirk was shot dead in front of approximately 3,000 people. Patel's premature announcement sparked confusion, and local officials later clarified that two individuals had been questioned but released.



Kash Patel Faces Leadership Test Over Charlie Kirk Murder | WION

Renowned podcast host Joe Rogan criticised US President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and how there is a minute missing from the Epstein film, which they were going to release.Joe Rogan lashed Trump, saying, "Do they think we’re babies?” However, Rogan singled out FBI Director Kash Patel for criticism as he dived into the situation.&nbsp;“The Epstein stuff is so crazy, because when Kash Patel was on here and he was like, ‘There’s nothing,’ and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’” Rogan said. “Yeah, I didn’t even know what to say.”&nbsp;Earlier in June, a month before the Trump administration announced the end of the investigation in the Jeffrey Epstein case, FBI director Patel was on Rogan's show, and downplayed what the records had.&nbsp;The FBI director insisted to Rogan that he was "working his a** off" to release the information that "we're allowed to give you."&nbsp;Later on Friday, the podcaster stressed why he did not push Patel harder on his claims about Epstein.&nbsp;“People were like, ‘Why didn’t you push back more?’ My thought was like, ‘I’m just gonna put this out there and let the internet do its work,’” Rogan said. “The guy’s saying there are no tapes, there’s no video. That doesn’t make any sense. Everyone knows it doesn’t make sense.”&nbsp;“Then he’s like, ‘Well, we have a film, we’re gonna release that film,’ and the film has a f***ing minute missing from it,” Rogan recalled, referring to surveillance footage of Epstein’s prison cell on the night of his death. “Like, do you think we’re babies? Like, what is this?," Rogan exclaimed.&nbsp;Just days ago, US President Donald Trump, once again dodged the claims of his involvement in the Epstein Files. When a reporter asked him if he wrote a letter to Jeffrey Epstein, Trump said, “I don't even know what they are talking about. Now, anybody could have written the letter and used my name. That's happened a lot.”

Earlier in June, a month before the Trump administration announced the end of the investigation in the Jeffrey Epstein case, FBI director Patel was on Rogan's show, and downplayed what the records had.

Renowned podcast host Joe Rogan criticised US President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and how there is a minute missing from the Epstein film, which they were going to release. Joe Rogan lashed Trump, saying, "Do they think we’re babies?” However, Rogan singled out FBI Director Kash Patel for criticism as he dived into the situation. “The Epstein stuff is so crazy, because when Kash Patel was on here and he was like, ‘There’s nothing,’ and I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’” Rogan said. “Yeah, I didn’t even know what to say.” Earlier in June, a month before the Trump administration announced the end of the investigation in the Jeffrey Epstein case, FBI director Patel was on Rogan's show, and downplayed what the records had. The FBI director insisted to Rogan that he was "working his a** off" to release the information that "we're allowed to give you." Later on Friday, the podcaster stressed why he did not push Patel harder on his claims about Epstein. “People were like, ‘Why didn’t you push back more?’ My thought was like, ‘I’m just gonna put this out there and let the internet do its work,’” Rogan said. “The guy’s saying there are no tapes, there’s no video. That doesn’t make any sense. Everyone knows it doesn’t make sense.” “Then he’s like, ‘Well, we have a film, we’re gonna release that film,’ and the film has a f***ing minute missing from it,” Rogan recalled, referring to surveillance footage of Epstein’s prison cell on the night of his death. “Like, do you think we’re babies? Like, what is this?," Rogan exclaimed. Just days ago, US President Donald Trump, once again dodged the claims of his involvement in the Epstein Files. When a reporter asked him if he wrote a letter to Jeffrey Epstein, Trump said, “I don't even know what they are talking about. Now, anybody could have written the letter and used my name. That's happened a lot.”

Earlier in June, a month before the Trump administration announced the end of the investigation in the Jeffrey Epstein case, FBI director Patel was on Rogan's show, and downplayed what the records had.

'Film has f***ing minute missing': Joe Rogan lambasts Trump administration over Epstein files, says, ‘Do they think we’re babies?’

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Jul 12) publicly scolded his most loyal supporters for attacking his administration over its handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a case that has long fuelled conspiracy theories across the American far-right. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, amid fierce backlash from MAGA influencers over the Justice Department's announcement last week that it had found no 'client list' or evidence of blackmail in its Epstein probe. The report also concluded, once again, that Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019.<h2>What's going on with my 'boys' and 'gals'</h2>Taking to Truth Social, Trump questioned, "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?'." Defending Bondi, he added, "They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!""We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening," Trump wrote using the acronym his 'Make America Great Again' movement. "We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein," he added.<h2>Far-right erupts after DOJ closes Epstein probe</h2>The statement came after prominent right-wing influencers, including Alex Jones and Laura Loomer, tore into the Trump administration's top legal officials for what they described as a cover-up. Loomer called for Bondi to be fired, labelling her "an embarrassment". Meanwhile, Jones fumed: "Next the DOJ will say ‘Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed’," adding, "This is over the top sickening."Dan Bongino, a powerful pro-Trump media figure and former Secret Service agent, was reportedly so enraged by the DOJ's statement that he threatened to resign from his role as FBI deputy director — a post to which Trump appointed him earlier this year.But Trump pushed back against his own base, and said, "For years, it's Epstein, over and over again...Let's...not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about." Urging his MAGA movement to focus on "the Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020," he said "instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!"Trump also claimed the renewed focus on Epstein — who was previously photographed with him at parties in the 1990s — was a hoax pushed by Democrats for political gain. While Trump has denied any wrongdoing or links to Epstein’s alleged network of elite abusers, conspiracy theorists have long accused the government of covering up Epstein’s ties to powerful figures, including politicians, royalty, and CEOs.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, amid fierce backlash from MAGA influencers over the Justice Department's announcement last week that it had found no 'client list' or evidence of blackmail in its Epstein probe

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Jul 12) publicly scolded his most loyal supporters for attacking his administration over its handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a case that has long fuelled conspiracy theories across the American far-right. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, amid fierce backlash from MAGA influencers over the Justice Department's announcement last week that it had found no 'client list' or evidence of blackmail in its Epstein probe. The report also concluded, once again, that Epstein died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019. What's going on with my 'boys' and 'gals' Taking to Truth Social, Trump questioned, "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?'." Defending Bondi, he added, "They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!" "We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening," Trump wrote using the acronym his 'Make America Great Again' movement. "We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein," he added. Far-right erupts after DOJ closes Epstein probe The statement came after prominent right-wing influencers, including Alex Jones and Laura Loomer, tore into the Trump administration's top legal officials for what they described as a cover-up. Loomer called for Bondi to be fired, labelling her "an embarrassment". Meanwhile, Jones fumed: "Next the DOJ will say ‘Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed’," adding, "This is over the top sickening." Dan Bongino, a powerful pro-Trump media figure and former Secret Service agent, was reportedly so enraged by the DOJ's statement that he threatened to resign from his role as FBI deputy director — a post to which Trump appointed him earlier this year. But Trump pushed back against his own base, and said, "For years, it's Epstein, over and over again...Let's...not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about." Urging his MAGA movement to focus on "the Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020," he said "instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!" Trump also claimed the renewed focus on Epstein — who was previously photographed with him at parties in the 1990s — was a hoax pushed by Democrats for political gain. While Trump has denied any wrongdoing or links to Epstein’s alleged network of elite abusers, conspiracy theorists have long accused the government of covering up Epstein’s ties to powerful figures, including politicians, royalty, and CEOs.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, amid fierce backlash from MAGA influencers over the Justice Department's announcement last week that it had found no 'client list' or evidence of blackmail in its Epstein probe

Trump scolds MAGA base over Epstein files outrage: 'LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!'

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States has been subjecting several of its employees to polygraph tests to find out if they are betraying their nation or can't be trusted with secrets. The increased reliance on lie-detector tests started in the investigation agency after Kash Patel took office as FBI director. Some employees were even&nbsp;asked if they had made remarks disparaging Kash Patel.&nbsp;Two people with knowledge of the matter told the NYT that senior employees were asked in interviews and polygraph tests whether they had said anything negative about Kash Patel. One employee was forced to take the polygraph test to find out who leaked the report about Patel demanding a service weapon to the media.&nbsp;Dozens of employees were asked to take these tests. They&nbsp;are part of the FBI's crackdown on news leaks. There is a sense among employees that disparaging Kash Patel or his deputy, Dan Bongino, can cost them their jobs.&nbsp;Commenting on the row, James Davidson, a former agent, said the employees' loyalty must be towards the US Constitution, not Kash Patel or his deputy.&nbsp;Michael Feinberg, a top agent in the field office in Norfolk, was threatened with a polygraph over his friendship with Peter Strzok, a counterintelligence official who was fired for sending text messages deriding US President Donald Trump, reported the paper.&nbsp;He wrote in a blog that a top agent asked him to submit to a polygraph test to probe the nature of his friendship.&nbsp;He also claimed that he was expected to "grovel, beg forgiveness, and pledge loyalty". He, however, resigned.<h2>Who is Kash Patel?</h2>Kash Patel is the ninth director of the FBI. The Indian-origin official was appointed by Donald Trump earlier this year, after he became the US President for the second time.&nbsp;He is the first Asian-American to hold the position. Before this, he&nbsp;served as a senior aide to Congressman Devin Nunes and worked in various roles within the Trump administration, including as chief of staff to the acting US Secretary of Defense.&nbsp;Kash Patel was born to Gujarati parents in New York on February 25, 1980, in Garden City. He graduated from the University of Richmond and later earned a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States has been subjecting several of its employees to polygraph tests to find out if they are betraying their nation or can't be trusted with secrets.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States has been subjecting several of its employees to polygraph tests to find out if they are betraying their nation or can't be trusted with secrets. The increased reliance on lie-detector tests started in the investigation agency after Kash Patel took office as FBI director. Some employees were even asked if they had made remarks disparaging Kash Patel. Two people with knowledge of the matter told the NYT that senior employees were asked in interviews and polygraph tests whether they had said anything negative about Kash Patel. One employee was forced to take the polygraph test to find out who leaked the report about Patel demanding a service weapon to the media. Dozens of employees were asked to take these tests. They are part of the FBI's crackdown on news leaks. There is a sense among employees that disparaging Kash Patel or his deputy, Dan Bongino, can cost them their jobs. Commenting on the row, James Davidson, a former agent, said the employees' loyalty must be towards the US Constitution, not Kash Patel or his deputy. Michael Feinberg, a top agent in the field office in Norfolk, was threatened with a polygraph over his friendship with Peter Strzok, a counterintelligence official who was fired for sending text messages deriding US President Donald Trump, reported the paper. He wrote in a blog that a top agent asked him to submit to a polygraph test to probe the nature of his friendship. He also claimed that he was expected to "grovel, beg forgiveness, and pledge loyalty". He, however, resigned. Who is Kash Patel? Kash Patel is the ninth director of the FBI. The Indian-origin official was appointed by Donald Trump earlier this year, after he became the US President for the second time. He is the first Asian-American to hold the position. Before this, he served as a senior aide to Congressman Devin Nunes and worked in various roles within the Trump administration, including as chief of staff to the acting US Secretary of Defense. Kash Patel was born to Gujarati parents in New York on February 25, 1980, in Garden City. He graduated from the University of Richmond and later earned a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law.

The increased reliance on lie-detector tests started in the investigation agency after Kash Patel took office as FBI director, said a report.

FBI subjecting agents to polygraph test to prove loyalty for Kash Patel: Report

Mark Epstein, the brother of financier Jeffrey Epstein, has strongly rejected the Trump administration’s final report into his brother’s controversial death, suggesting the official explanation doesn’t add up.<h2>What did the Trump administration’s report conclude?</h2>The Justice Department and FBI, under President Donald Trump, this week released a long-awaited report declaring that Jeffrey Epstein had died by suicide. It also said there was no evidence that Epstein had kept a list of powerful clients to use for blackmail.But the findings have angered many of Trump’s own supporters, who had long speculated that Epstein’s death involved foul play, suspicions encouraged by several MAGA officials.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-complete-disappointment-kash-patel-once-pushed-epstein-conspiracies-now-leads-trump-s-fbi-and-dismisses-them-but-maga-isn-t-buying-it-1751892825511">‘Complete disappointment’: Kash Patel once pushed Epstein conspiracies, now leads Trump’s FBI and dismisses them, but MAGA&nbsp;isn’t&nbsp;buying&nbsp;it</a><h2>What is Mark Epstein saying now?</h2>Speaking to NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on Tuesday, Mark Epstein said he doesn’t trust the government’s version of events. “Every time they say or do something to try to quash the fact that he was most likely murdered, they just put their foot further down their mouth,” he said. Mark has long voiced concerns about how his brother died in a high-security jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.The official autopsy was conducted by New York City’s Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, with renowned pathologist Dr Michael Baden observing at the request of Epstein’s legal team. Baden said at the time that Epstein’s injuries were “more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicide.”Kash Patel, the FBI director and one of the Trump officials who had previously fuelled speculation about Epstein’s alleged blackmail operation, made a sharp U-turn in May. “You know a suicide when you see one, and that’s what that was,” Patel said.Mark Epstein, reacting to that statement, said, “When Kash Patel came out with that statement, I laughed at how stupid it was.”Trump has not directly addressed Mark Epstein’s claims, but during a press briefing on Monday, his press secretary refused to answer questions related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Justice Department and FBI, under President Donald Trump, this week released a long-awaited report declaring that Jeffrey Epstein had died by suicide. It also said there was no evidence that Epstein had kept a list of powerful clients to use for blackmail.

Mark Epstein, the brother of financier Jeffrey Epstein, has strongly rejected the Trump administration’s final report into his brother’s controversial death, suggesting the official explanation doesn’t add up. What did the Trump administration’s report conclude? The Justice Department and FBI, under President Donald Trump, this week released a long-awaited report declaring that Jeffrey Epstein had died by suicide. It also said there was no evidence that Epstein had kept a list of powerful clients to use for blackmail. But the findings have angered many of Trump’s own supporters, who had long speculated that Epstein’s death involved foul play, suspicions encouraged by several MAGA officials. Also read: ‘Complete disappointment’: Kash Patel once pushed Epstein conspiracies, now leads Trump’s FBI and dismisses them, but MAGA isn’t buying it What is Mark Epstein saying now? Speaking to NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on Tuesday, Mark Epstein said he doesn’t trust the government’s version of events. “Every time they say or do something to try to quash the fact that he was most likely murdered, they just put their foot further down their mouth,” he said. Mark has long voiced concerns about how his brother died in a high-security jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. The official autopsy was conducted by New York City’s Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, with renowned pathologist Dr Michael Baden observing at the request of Epstein’s legal team. Baden said at the time that Epstein’s injuries were “more consistent with homicidal strangulation than suicide.” Kash Patel, the FBI director and one of the Trump officials who had previously fuelled speculation about Epstein’s alleged blackmail operation, made a sharp U-turn in May. “You know a suicide when you see one, and that’s what that was,” Patel said. Mark Epstein, reacting to that statement, said, “When Kash Patel came out with that statement, I laughed at how stupid it was.” Trump has not directly addressed Mark Epstein’s claims, but during a press briefing on Monday, his press secretary refused to answer questions related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Justice Department and FBI, under President Donald Trump, this week released a long-awaited report declaring that Jeffrey Epstein had died by suicide. It also said there was no evidence that Epstein had kept a list of powerful clients to use for blackmail.

‘I laughed at how stupid it was’: Jeffrey Epstein’s brother says he was ‘murdered’, refutes FBI report

Donald Trump’s FBI has concluded there is no evidence that Jeffrey Epstein kept a secret “client list”, blackmailed powerful individuals, or was murdered, directly contradicting years of speculation, some of which was once pushed by the same people now leading the agency.The revelations, first reported by Axios, come from a two-page memo summarising the findings of an internal Justice Department investigation under the Trump administration. It comes shortly after Elon Musk publicly accused Trump of being named in the long-rumoured Epstein files, an accusation he later deleted.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-s-new-america-party-gets-support-from-mark-cuban-anthony-scaramucci-here-s-who-wants-in-1751803571320">'Billionaire, Ex-Trump ally': Elon Musk’s new ‘America Party’ gets support from surprising allies: Here’s who wants in</a><h2>Elon Musk’s accusation went viral</h2>In early June, Musk escalated his feud with Donald Trump by writing on X, “Time to drop the really big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files.” The post was deleted later. Trump responded by dismissing the claim, telling NBC News, “That’s called old news… Even Epstein’s lawyer said I had nothing to do with it.” He added, “I was not at all friendly with him [Epstein] for probably 18 years before he died.”<h2>The memo: No client list, no blackmail, no conspiracy</h2>The FBI memo reviewed by Axios said there was “no credible evidence” that Epstein was running a blackmail operation or maintained a so-called “client list”. Investigators said they found no grounds to charge anyone else and had viewed prison footage that backed up the official ruling that Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously said she had access to Epstein’s client list and promised to release it, has not commented since the FBI memo came out. Earlier this year, she told Fox News, “It’s sitting on my desk right now to review… Americans have a right to know.” At that time, Trump Jr. also chimed in, reposting news that Bondi had the files and adding “LFG” — let’s f***ing go.<h2>From conspiracy to contradiction: What changed?</h2>The memo’s publication marks a sharp turnaround, especially from figures like Kash Patel, who is now Trump’s FBI director. Before his appointment, Patel was one of the most vocal Epstein conspiracy theorists in pro-Trump media. Dan Bongino, now deputy director of the FBI, also frequently questioned the official version of Epstein’s death, suggesting a cover-up. Both now say Epstein died by suicide and there is no wider plot.“He killed himself,” Bongino said in May on Fox News. “I’ve seen the whole file.” Yet many on the right remain unconvinced. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) posted in May, “THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment. GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!”<h2>What the Epstein memo didn’t reveal</h2>Despite the FBI’s statement, some key questions remain. Bondi had earlier said that the FBI initially gave her only a few hundred pages, but eventually handed over thousands of documents. She claimed they contained flight logs, victim names, and more. As of now, the full contents of those documents have not been made public. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s long-time associate, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking of minors and related charges. No further prosecutions are planned.

In early June, Musk escalated his feud with Donald Trump by writing on X, “Time to drop the really big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files.” The post was deleted later.

Donald Trump’s FBI has concluded there is no evidence that Jeffrey Epstein kept a secret “client list”, blackmailed powerful individuals, or was murdered, directly contradicting years of speculation, some of which was once pushed by the same people now leading the agency. The revelations, first reported by Axios, come from a two-page memo summarising the findings of an internal Justice Department investigation under the Trump administration. It comes shortly after Elon Musk publicly accused Trump of being named in the long-rumoured Epstein files, an accusation he later deleted. Also read: 'Billionaire, Ex-Trump ally': Elon Musk’s new ‘America Party’ gets support from surprising allies: Here’s who wants in Elon Musk’s accusation went viral In early June, Musk escalated his feud with Donald Trump by writing on X, “Time to drop the really big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files.” The post was deleted later. Trump responded by dismissing the claim, telling NBC News, “That’s called old news… Even Epstein’s lawyer said I had nothing to do with it.” He added, “I was not at all friendly with him [Epstein] for probably 18 years before he died.” The memo: No client list, no blackmail, no conspiracy The FBI memo reviewed by Axios said there was “no credible evidence” that Epstein was running a blackmail operation or maintained a so-called “client list”. Investigators said they found no grounds to charge anyone else and had viewed prison footage that backed up the official ruling that Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously said she had access to Epstein’s client list and promised to release it, has not commented since the FBI memo came out. Earlier this year, she told Fox News, “It’s sitting on my desk right now to review… Americans have a right to know.” At that time, Trump Jr. also chimed in, reposting news that Bondi had the files and adding “LFG” — let’s f***ing go. From conspiracy to contradiction: What changed? The memo’s publication marks a sharp turnaround, especially from figures like Kash Patel, who is now Trump’s FBI director. Before his appointment, Patel was one of the most vocal Epstein conspiracy theorists in pro-Trump media. Dan Bongino, now deputy director of the FBI, also frequently questioned the official version of Epstein’s death, suggesting a cover-up. Both now say Epstein died by suicide and there is no wider plot. “He killed himself,” Bongino said in May on Fox News. “I’ve seen the whole file.” Yet many on the right remain unconvinced. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) posted in May, “THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment. GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!” What the Epstein memo didn’t reveal Despite the FBI’s statement, some key questions remain. Bondi had earlier said that the FBI initially gave her only a few hundred pages, but eventually handed over thousands of documents. She claimed they contained flight logs, victim names, and more. As of now, the full contents of those documents have not been made public. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s long-time associate, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking of minors and related charges. No further prosecutions are planned.

In early June, Musk escalated his feud with Donald Trump by writing on X, “Time to drop the really big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files.” The post was deleted later.

‘Complete disappointment’: Kash Patel once pushed Epstein conspiracies, now leads Trump’s FBI and dismisses them, but MAGA isn’t buying it

Donald Trump’s FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stark warning to protesters in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying anyone who hits a cop will be “going to jail.”&nbsp;“Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you. If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we FBI, will,” Patel said in a post on the social media platform X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you. If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we <a href="https://twitter.com/FBI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBI</a> will.&mdash; FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1931522027719995558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

But his warning did not go well with a section of the internet, as people were seen reminding Trump’s aide of the January 6 Capitol riots.&nbsp;&nbsp;People reminded him how his present stance was way different from what the Republicans said and did about the January 6 riots. The rioters were pardoned by the US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;What was the riot?&nbsp;On January 6, 2021, a mob of Donald Trump supporters attacked the US Capitol. More than 150 police officers were injured during the riots that ensued. This was after the presidential election in which Joe Biden won and Trump alleged the election was “rigged”.&nbsp;After his return to the White House in January 2025 - Trump pardoned about 1,500 people charged over the riots.&nbsp;‘You'll get a pardon, right, Kash?’&nbsp;After Patel issued the warning, the internet took a dig at the FBI director.&nbsp;“But if you do it wearing Trump merch while rioting at the US Capitol, you'll get a pardon, right, Kash?” an X user wrote. “This declaration evidently does not apply to the Trump supporters who attacked police on Jan. 6,” wrote another.&nbsp;“Remember Jan 6th? Your dear leader pardoned hundreds who assaulted cops,” a third one wrote.&nbsp;What are the anti-ICE protests in LA?&nbsp;Los Angeles has become the epicentre of major anti-ICE protests following a series of large-scale immigration raids by federal agents across the city. &nbsp;&nbsp;Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to the streets of LA on Saturday (June 7) to curb the “lawlessness”.&nbsp;

‘Hit a cop, you’re going to jail’: Kash Patel warns LA anti-ICE protesters, internet reminds him of ‘January 6’ riots 

Donald Trump’s FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stark warning to protesters in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying anyone who hits a cop will be “going to jail.” “Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you. If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we FBI, will,” Patel said in a post on the social media platform X.

Donald Trump’s FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stark warning to protesters in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying anyone who hits a cop will be “going to jail." But his warning backfired on him by the internet.&nbsp;

‘Hit a cop, you’re going to jail’: Kash Patel warns LA anti-ICE protesters, internet reminds him of ‘January 6’ riots

The relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has now become a very public feud, with both exchanging sharp personal jabs. What started as disagreements over policy has turned into a battle to see who wields bigger influence.Musk didn’t stop at criticising Trump’s latest legislative push. He went a step further, talking about unseating Republicans who backed the bill and even floated the idea of launching a third party. “Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years,” Musk wrote on X, in what many saw as a warning to Republicans picking sides.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maga-loves-musk-too-here-s-how-elon-musk-s-popularity-among-republicans-could-hurt-donald-trump-s-future-plans-1749298584471">MAGA loves Musk too! Here's how Elon Musk's popularity among Republicans could hurt Donald Trump's future plans</a><h2>Musk’s popularity still strong among Republicans</h2>Despite his recent fallouts and growing criticism over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk remains one of the most popular figures in the Republican Party. He continues to enjoy favourability ratings that most Republicans can only dream of.In an April Reuters/Ipsos poll, 54% of Republicans had a “very favourable” view of Trump, and 50% said the same about Vice President JD Vance. Musk followed closely at 43%. His popularity was well ahead of other Republican figures like Pete Hegseth (33%) and Michael Waltz (18%).<h2>Approval beyond party lines</h2>A separate Marquette University Law School poll showed Musk’s popularity among the general public was also notable. His 22% “very favourable” rating was just behind Trump’s 25% and on par with Vance.Even after DOGE’s decline in popularity, Musk’s work in that area remains well-supported in Republican circles. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll in April, 63% of Republicans and 70% of Trump voters said they “strongly support” the cuts introduced by DOGE.<h2>A strong base, but not unquestioned loyalty</h2>While Musk enjoys strong approval ratings, it doesn’t necessarily translate to unwavering support. A Quinnipiac University poll in April showed that while 71% of Republicans believed Musk had the right amount of power in Trump’s administration, only 8% felt he had too little. This suggests that although Republicans like Musk, many may not want him to have more influence.Even so, his overall popularity remains stable. The Economist/YouGov poll found that 76% of Republicans view him favourably, and a New York Times/Siena College poll in late April reported a 77% favourability rating among GOP voters.<h2>Only Trump and Vance are more popular</h2>Musk’s standing in the Republican Party ranks just behind Trump and JD Vance. According to the Economist/YouGov poll, Trump holds an 87% approval rating among Republicans, while Vance is at 80%. These numbers show that, for now, Musk is third in line when it comes to popularity in the party.However, this could change quickly. With Trump known for going after rivals, the fallout from this break-up may hurt Musk’s standing. His numbers could dip if Trump targets him directly in the coming weeks.

Despite his recent fallouts and growing criticism over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk remains one of the most popular figures in the Republican Party. He continues to enjoy favourability ratings that most Republicans can only dream of.

The relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has now become a very public feud, with both exchanging sharp personal jabs. What started as disagreements over policy has turned into a battle to see who wields bigger influence. Musk didn’t stop at criticising Trump’s latest legislative push. He went a step further, talking about unseating Republicans who backed the bill and even floated the idea of launching a third party. “Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years,” Musk wrote on X, in what many saw as a warning to Republicans picking sides. Also read: MAGA loves Musk too! Here's how Elon Musk's popularity among Republicans could hurt Donald Trump's future plans Musk’s popularity still strong among Republicans Despite his recent fallouts and growing criticism over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk remains one of the most popular figures in the Republican Party. He continues to enjoy favourability ratings that most Republicans can only dream of. In an April Reuters/Ipsos poll, 54% of Republicans had a “very favourable” view of Trump, and 50% said the same about Vice President JD Vance. Musk followed closely at 43%. His popularity was well ahead of other Republican figures like Pete Hegseth (33%) and Michael Waltz (18%). Approval beyond party lines A separate Marquette University Law School poll showed Musk’s popularity among the general public was also notable. His 22% “very favourable” rating was just behind Trump’s 25% and on par with Vance. Even after DOGE’s decline in popularity, Musk’s work in that area remains well-supported in Republican circles. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll in April, 63% of Republicans and 70% of Trump voters said they “strongly support” the cuts introduced by DOGE. A strong base, but not unquestioned loyalty While Musk enjoys strong approval ratings, it doesn’t necessarily translate to unwavering support. A Quinnipiac University poll in April showed that while 71% of Republicans believed Musk had the right amount of power in Trump’s administration, only 8% felt he had too little. This suggests that although Republicans like Musk, many may not want him to have more influence. Even so, his overall popularity remains stable. The Economist/YouGov poll found that 76% of Republicans view him favourably, and a New York Times/Siena College poll in late April reported a 77% favourability rating among GOP voters. Only Trump and Vance are more popular Musk’s standing in the Republican Party ranks just behind Trump and JD Vance. According to the Economist/YouGov poll, Trump holds an 87% approval rating among Republicans, while Vance is at 80%. These numbers show that, for now, Musk is third in line when it comes to popularity in the party. However, this could change quickly. With Trump known for going after rivals, the fallout from this break-up may hurt Musk’s standing. His numbers could dip if Trump targets him directly in the coming weeks.

Despite his recent fallouts and growing criticism over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk remains one of the most popular figures in the Republican Party. He continues to enjoy favourability ratings that most Republicans can only dream of.

'Trump has 3.5 years left': Only TWO Republicans are more popular than Musk - SPOILER! It's not Kash Patel or Rubio

The FBI is facing internal chaos as Director Kash Patel continues to remove staff considered disloyal to the Trump administration. According to The New York Times, Patel has been pushing senior officials to take polygraph tests at an “rapid rate” as part of his campaign to prevent leaks from the agency.One senior official told the Times he was pushed out last month after being forced to take a lie detector test. He said he believed he was targeted because he had not told Patel that his wife had taken a knee during the 2020 protests against police brutality in Washington, D.C.Others have said the threat of polygraphs is being used to scare staff into silence, preventing them from speaking out about Patel’s decisions or criticising his leadership.<h2>Trump ally leads controversial FBI shake-up</h2>Kash Patel was appointed FBI Director by President Donald Trump earlier this year. He was tasked with ending what Republicans describe as the agency’s “weaponisation” under former President Joe Biden, particularly over the FBI’s past handling of the Russiagate investigation and Trump’s retention of classified documents.Soon after taking charge, Patel reportedly asked about installing a direct phone line between his office and the White House—raising concerns about possible political interference. He has also drawn criticism for wanting to use a private security team instead of FBI-provided protection.<h2>Senior staff purged, elite unit disbanded</h2>Under Patel, the FBI has seen an unprecedented shake-up. Many senior agents and executives have been demoted, placed on leave without explanation, or forced out altogether, according to the Times report.A notable move involved disbanding a high-level investigations team in Washington, DC, which had been looking into Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.Internal critics say the wave of firings, reassignments and early retirements has wiped out years of national security experience. They also argue that the agency is now unwilling to tolerate dissent, especially regarding actions taken by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Both Vance and Hegseth were reportedly involved in a leak scandal linked to the messaging app Signal.

Kash Patel was appointed FBI Director by President Donald Trump earlier this year. He was tasked with ending what Republicans describe as the agency’s “weaponisation” under former President Joe Biden.

The FBI is facing internal chaos as Director Kash Patel continues to remove staff considered disloyal to the Trump administration. According to The New York Times, Patel has been pushing senior officials to take polygraph tests at an “rapid rate” as part of his campaign to prevent leaks from the agency. One senior official told the Times he was pushed out last month after being forced to take a lie detector test. He said he believed he was targeted because he had not told Patel that his wife had taken a knee during the 2020 protests against police brutality in Washington, D.C. Others have said the threat of polygraphs is being used to scare staff into silence, preventing them from speaking out about Patel’s decisions or criticising his leadership. Trump ally leads controversial FBI shake-up Kash Patel was appointed FBI Director by President Donald Trump earlier this year. He was tasked with ending what Republicans describe as the agency’s “weaponisation” under former President Joe Biden, particularly over the FBI’s past handling of the Russiagate investigation and Trump’s retention of classified documents. Soon after taking charge, Patel reportedly asked about installing a direct phone line between his office and the White House—raising concerns about possible political interference. He has also drawn criticism for wanting to use a private security team instead of FBI-provided protection. Senior staff purged, elite unit disbanded Under Patel, the FBI has seen an unprecedented shake-up. Many senior agents and executives have been demoted, placed on leave without explanation, or forced out altogether, according to the Times report. A notable move involved disbanding a high-level investigations team in Washington, DC, which had been looking into Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Internal critics say the wave of firings, reassignments and early retirements has wiped out years of national security experience. They also argue that the agency is now unwilling to tolerate dissent, especially regarding actions taken by Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Both Vance and Hegseth were reportedly involved in a leak scandal linked to the messaging app Signal.

Kash Patel was appointed FBI Director by President Donald Trump earlier this year. He was tasked with ending what Republicans describe as the agency’s “weaponisation” under former President Joe Biden.

‘Lie detector purge’: FBI director Kash Patel accused of forcing out officials over ‘disloyalty’ after conducting polygraph test

Amid row over Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel's nightclub visits, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said that Patel works for 13 hours every day. Dan Bongino, in an interview, said Patel arrives at the office at 6 am and rarely leaves before 7 pm, while refuting reports that Patel is rarely in office. &nbsp;"Kash is in the office by 6 a.m. and rarely leaves before 7 p.m. If you think we are there for tea and crumpets… I mean, Kash is there all day," he said. He also added that their offices are so close that he can even hear when Patel turns on a faucet. “I stare at these four walls all day in DC, you know, by myself, divorced from my wife. Not divorced, but I mean, separated. And it's hard. We love each other, but it's hard to be apart,” Bongino said.&nbsp;Bongino explained his sacrifices saying, “My wife is struggling. But I am not a victim. I am not James Comey (former FBI director). I did this and I am proud that I did it.” &nbsp;This comes weeks after Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi said that Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he ran the office. Yeah well, reportedly, he's been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," Figliuzzi replied. "And there are reports that daily briefings to him have been changed from every day to maybe twice weekly," he said. &nbsp;Former FBI director James Comey had also raised questions about Kash Patel and Dan Bongino's leadership. "There are lots of people in the FBI who know what they're doing. I hope these two guys are letting them guide them," he told CNN. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Amid row over Federal Bureau of Investigation director Kash Patel nightclub visits Deputy Director Dan Bongino said that Patel works for 13 hours every day

Amid row over Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel's nightclub visits, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said that Patel works for 13 hours every day. Dan Bongino, in an interview, said Patel arrives at the office at 6 am and rarely leaves before 7 pm, while refuting reports that Patel is rarely in office. "Kash is in the office by 6 a.m. and rarely leaves before 7 p.m. If you think we are there for tea and crumpets… I mean, Kash is there all day," he said. He also added that their offices are so close that he can even hear when Patel turns on a faucet. “I stare at these four walls all day in DC, you know, by myself, divorced from my wife. Not divorced, but I mean, separated. And it's hard. We love each other, but it's hard to be apart,” Bongino said. Bongino explained his sacrifices saying, “My wife is struggling. But I am not a victim. I am not James Comey (former FBI director). I did this and I am proud that I did it.” This comes weeks after Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi said that Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he ran the office. Yeah well, reportedly, he's been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," Figliuzzi replied. "And there are reports that daily briefings to him have been changed from every day to maybe twice weekly," he said. Former FBI director James Comey had also raised questions about Kash Patel and Dan Bongino's leadership. "There are lots of people in the FBI who know what they're doing. I hope these two guys are letting them guide them," he told CNN.

Amid row over Federal Bureau of Investigation director Kash Patel's nightclub visits, Deputy Director Dan Bongino said that Patel works for 13 hours every day

'Not at FBI for tea': Kash Patel's deputy refutes report of his boss at nightclubs, says FBI Director works for '13 hours'

Kash Patel to reinvestigate Biden White House cocaine case | Here's what FBI saidAfter almost two years, FBI Director Kash Patel will launch new investigations into the 2023 discovery of a bag of cocaine at the White House during former President Joe Biden's term.Dan Bongino, the bureau's deputy director made the announcement on X on May 26.A bag of a small amount of cocaine (0.2 grams) was found in a cubby near an entrance to the West Wing of the White House, an area which was generally used to give tours and where visitors kept their belongings.However, when the Secret Service did not identify a suspect, they closed the case on July 13, 2023. Moreover, no fingerprints or usable DNA were found, as well as, surveillance footage failed to provide leads due to the area’s high traffic and a camera blind spot.But as announced by Bongino, the FBI will be reopening the case. The deputy director said that Kash and he evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that garnered a lot of public interest."The Director and I will have most of our incoming reform teams in place by next week. The hiring process can take a little bit of time, but we are approaching that finish line. This will help us both in doubling down on our reform agenda," he said.He said that him and Kash evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that, understandably, have garnered public interest.Not just the cocaine case, but the FBI will also probe into the leak of the Supreme Court Dobbs case and the DC pipe bombing investigation."We made the decision to either re-open or push additional resources and investigative attention, to these cases," he said."The Director and I have done only one media interview together. We decided early on to limit our media footprint overall in order to keep the attention on the work being done. There are both positives and negatives to this approach," Bongino wrote.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-emotional-overload-kremlin-responds-to-trump-s-crazy-remark-for-putin-1748258560188">Also read: ‘Emotional overload’: Kremlin responds to Trump’s ‘crazy’ remark for Putin</a>

A bag of a small amount of cocaine (0.2 grams) was found in a cubby near an entrance to the West Wing of the White House, an area which was generally used to give tours and where visitors kept their belongings.

Kash Patel to reinvestigate Biden White House cocaine case | Here's what FBI said After almost two years, FBI Director Kash Patel will launch new investigations into the 2023 discovery of a bag of cocaine at the White House during former President Joe Biden's term. Dan Bongino, the bureau's deputy director made the announcement on X on May 26. A bag of a small amount of cocaine (0.2 grams) was found in a cubby near an entrance to the West Wing of the White House, an area which was generally used to give tours and where visitors kept their belongings. However, when the Secret Service did not identify a suspect, they closed the case on July 13, 2023. Moreover, no fingerprints or usable DNA were found, as well as, surveillance footage failed to provide leads due to the area’s high traffic and a camera blind spot. But as announced by Bongino, the FBI will be reopening the case. The deputy director said that Kash and he evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that garnered a lot of public interest. "The Director and I will have most of our incoming reform teams in place by next week. The hiring process can take a little bit of time, but we are approaching that finish line. This will help us both in doubling down on our reform agenda," he said. He said that him and Kash evaluated a number of cases of potential public corruption that, understandably, have garnered public interest. Not just the cocaine case, but the FBI will also probe into the leak of the Supreme Court Dobbs case and the DC pipe bombing investigation. "We made the decision to either re-open or push additional resources and investigative attention, to these cases," he said. "The Director and I have done only one media interview together. We decided early on to limit our media footprint overall in order to keep the attention on the work being done. There are both positives and negatives to this approach," Bongino wrote. Also read: ‘Emotional overload’: Kremlin responds to Trump’s ‘crazy’ remark for Putin

A bag of a small amount of cocaine (0.2 grams) was found in a cubby near an entrance to the West Wing of the White House, an area which was generally used to give tours and where visitors kept their belongings.

Biden White House cocaine case to be reinvestigated by Kash Patel? Here's what FBI said

More than 200 suspected child sex offenders were arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown, the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/department-of-justice">Department of Justice</a> confirmed on May 7.
"If you harm our children you will be given no sanctuary," FBI Director <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/kash-patel">Kash Patel</a> said at a May 7 press conference. "There is no place we will not come to hunt you down. There is no place we will not look for you. And there is no cage we will not put you in should you do harm to our children."
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-president-trump-teases-major-trade-deal-announcement-with-big-highly-respected-country-reports-9046546">US President Trump teases 'major trade deal' announcement with 'big, highly respected country': Reports</a>
The US Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation was executed by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department&rsquo;s Criminal Division and United States Attorney&rsquo;s Offices around the country.&nbsp;
Over the course of five days, from April 28 through May 2, more than 200 child sexual abuse offenders were arrested nationwide as part of the effort. These include school leaders, registered sex offenders and members of law enforcement who are accused of various crimes including the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM); online enticement and transportation of minors; and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/child-sex-trafficking">child sex trafficking</a>.&nbsp;
<h2>'The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect child victims'</h2>
&ldquo;The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims &ndash; especially child victims &ndash; and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,&rdquo; said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. &ldquo;I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.&rdquo;
&ldquo;There are few situations more urgent than when a child is physically at risk, and as &lsquo;Operation Restore Justice&rsquo; has shown, child predators come in many different forms,&rdquo; said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI&rsquo;s Boston Division. &ldquo;As horrific as these alleged crimes are, they are not rare. Make no mistake, FBI Boston's Child Exploitation - Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to finding these child sex abusers, locking them up, and ensuring those they have victimized are safe and well-supported," he added.

World: These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006

More than 200 suspected child sex offenders were arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown, the US Department of Justice confirmed on May 7. "If you harm our children you will be given no sanctuary," FBI Director Kash Patel said at a May 7 press conference. "There is no place we will not come to hunt you down. There is no place we will not look for you. And there is no cage we will not put you in should you do harm to our children." Also Read: US President Trump teases 'major trade deal' announcement with 'big, highly respected country': Reports The US Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation was executed by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country. Over the course of five days, from April 28 through May 2, more than 200 child sexual abuse offenders were arrested nationwide as part of the effort. These include school leaders, registered sex offenders and members of law enforcement who are accused of various crimes including the production, distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM); online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking. 'The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect child victims' “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims – especially child victims – and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.” “There are few situations more urgent than when a child is physically at risk, and as ‘Operation Restore Justice’ has shown, child predators come in many different forms,” said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “As horrific as these alleged crimes are, they are not rare. Make no mistake, FBI Boston's Child Exploitation - Human Trafficking Task Force is committed to finding these child sex abusers, locking them up, and ensuring those they have victimized are safe and well-supported," he added.

Over 200 alleged child sex offenders arrested in FBI-led nationwide crackdown

A senior FBI spokesperson has strongly denied a sensational claim made on live television that FBI Director Kash Patel is spending more time in nightclubs than at the bureau&rsquo;s headquarters.
Ben Williamson, the FBI's associate director for public affairs, directly responded to former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi, who made the controversial statement on MSNBC&rsquo;s Morning Joe programme. Williamson called the comments &ldquo;bogus&rdquo; and completely fabricated.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-director-kash-patel-wants-private-security-and-direct-hotline-to-trump-8835180" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;He didn&rsquo;t fully trust FBI agents&rsquo;: FBI Director Kash Patel wants private security and direct hotline&nbsp;to&nbsp;Trump</a>
<h2>What was said on Morning Joe?</h2>
During a broadcast, Figliuzzi claimed that Kash Patel had become more of a regular in nightclubs than on the seventh floor of the FBI&rsquo;s Hoover Building.
He also alleged that Patel had reduced the number of official briefings from daily to just twice a week and that he now splits his time between Washington, DC and Las Vegas, where he supposedly works from home most of the time.
Host Jonathan Lemire later clarified the comments, telling viewers, &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s circle back to a segment from Friday&rsquo;s show. Frank Figliuzzi was on that morning during this hour, discussing the work of administration officials.&rdquo;
&ldquo;At the end of that segment, Figliuzzi said that FBI director Kash Patel has reportedly been more visible at nightclubs than at his office at FBI headquarters. This was a misstatement. We have not verified that claim,&rdquo; he added.
<h2>FBI official calls the story false and defamatory</h2>
Responding on social media, Ben Williamson rejected the nightclub and Las Vegas claims, saying they were made up.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-arrested-by-kash-patel-led-fbi-for-helping-illegal-alien-escape-under-trumps-immigration-crackdown-9002710" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;No one is above the law&rsquo;: US judge arrested by Kash Patel-led FBI for helping illegal alien escape under Trump&rsquo;s immigration crackdown</a>
&ldquo;Mr. Figliuzzi already got exposed (and earned an on-air Morning Joe correction) over the nightclub thing he made up, but he made up the Vegas bit as well. Bogus,&rdquo; he wrote on X.
He added, &ldquo;Kash has been Director for 70+ days and has been home for a total of three days. I see him here at HQ every day.&rdquo;
The nightclub claim drew further attention as Patel is already facing an inquiry into his use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. CBS has reported that Senate Democrats have asked the US Government Accountability Office to investigate.

World: Ben Williamson, the FBI's associate director for public affairs, directly responded to a former FBI official's statement that FBI Director Kash Patel is spending more time in nightclubs than at the bureau’s headquarters.

A senior FBI spokesperson has strongly denied a sensational claim made on live television that FBI Director Kash Patel is spending more time in nightclubs than at the bureau’s headquarters. Ben Williamson, the FBI's associate director for public affairs, directly responded to former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi, who made the controversial statement on MSNBC’s Morning Joe programme. Williamson called the comments “bogus” and completely fabricated. Also read: ‘He didn’t fully trust FBI agents’: FBI Director Kash Patel wants private security and direct hotline to Trump What was said on Morning Joe? During a broadcast, Figliuzzi claimed that Kash Patel had become more of a regular in nightclubs than on the seventh floor of the FBI’s Hoover Building. He also alleged that Patel had reduced the number of official briefings from daily to just twice a week and that he now splits his time between Washington, DC and Las Vegas, where he supposedly works from home most of the time. Host Jonathan Lemire later clarified the comments, telling viewers, “Let’s circle back to a segment from Friday’s show. Frank Figliuzzi was on that morning during this hour, discussing the work of administration officials.” “At the end of that segment, Figliuzzi said that FBI director Kash Patel has reportedly been more visible at nightclubs than at his office at FBI headquarters. This was a misstatement. We have not verified that claim,” he added. FBI official calls the story false and defamatory Responding on social media, Ben Williamson rejected the nightclub and Las Vegas claims, saying they were made up. Also read: ‘No one is above the law’: US judge arrested by Kash Patel-led FBI for helping illegal alien escape under Trump’s immigration crackdown “Mr. Figliuzzi already got exposed (and earned an on-air Morning Joe correction) over the nightclub thing he made up, but he made up the Vegas bit as well. Bogus,” he wrote on X. He added, “Kash has been Director for 70+ days and has been home for a total of three days. I see him here at HQ every day.” The nightclub claim drew further attention as Patel is already facing an inquiry into his use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. CBS has reported that Senate Democrats have asked the US Government Accountability Office to investigate.

FBI Director Kash Patel not partying in nightclubs? Bureau rubbishes ‘bogus’ report, says ‘He’s at HQ every day’

A former FBI assistant director has alleged that the current director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, spends most of his time partying rather than working.

Kash Patel spotted at nightclubs, spends more time in Las Vegas than at work: Ex-FBI officer

Australia&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-general-elections-albanese-vs-dutton-amid-trump-chaos-9011981" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Albanese</a>&nbsp;won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term.&nbsp;His centre-left&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-election-result-anthony-albanese-secures-historic-second-term-as-labor-party-set-to-retain-majority-9029587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Labor </a>Party is poised to retain its majority government.
India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack.
<h2>Click on the headlines for more</h2>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-election-result-anthony-albanese-secures-historic-second-term-as-labor-party-set-to-retain-majority-9029587">Australia Election Result: Anthony Albanese secures historic second term as Labor Party set to retain majority</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/Zs8t66oLxBDehxB0wU0Z.png" alt=" Anthony Albanese Photograph: (X/AnthonyAlbanese) ">
Australia&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-general-elections-albanese-vs-dutton-amid-trump-chaos-9011981" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Albanese</a>&nbsp;won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term.&nbsp;His centre-left&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-election-result-anthony-albanese-secures-historic-second-term-as-labor-party-set-to-retain-majority-9029587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Labor</a>Party is poised to retain its majority government
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-india-cracks-the-whip-bans-all-pak-imports-mails-and-parcels-bars-port-access-to-ships-9029491">India cracks the whip again, bans all Pak imports, mails and parcels, bars port access to ships</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/30/xTGu0IIa4kiDe3ad7dPA.png" alt=" PM Modi, Shahbaz Sharif Photograph: (Reuters) ">
India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-marco-rubio-us-secretary-of-state-national-security-adviser-usaid-9029823">From Trump's rival to Trump&rsquo;s problem solver: How Marco Rubio landed four top roles; critics say he did it by &lsquo;becoming a doormat&rsquo;</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/U2yvq1t2i7ML9nkZYK3G.png" alt=" US President Donald Trump, Marco Rubio Photograph: (Reuters, Wion Web Team) ">
Once dismissed by Donald Trump as &ldquo;Li&rsquo;l Marco&rdquo;, Marco Rubio is now one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration, holding not just one, but four top jobs. His transformation from political lightweight to presidential fixer has surprised many in Washington.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kash-patel-donald-trumps-fbi-pick-spends-more-time-in-night-club-than-office-9029834">'Both blessing &amp; curse': FBI boss Kash Patel spends more time in nightclubs than office and people are relieved, here's why</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/30/gWQ78QzQkGasgMQ0yOze.png" alt=" Photograph: (Reuters) ">
FBI director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-violating-laws-secret-memo-reveals-ice-officials-can-break-into-homes-without-a-warrant-9008582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kash Patel</a>&nbsp;is said to be seen more in nightclubs than in his office. Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi on MSNBC's Morning Joe program said Kash Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he would run the office.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/99-russian-soldiers-die-for-every-kilometre-gained-in-ukraine-and-putin-doesnt-seem-to-care-9030092">&lsquo;Low quality troops, high casualties&rsquo;: 99 Russian soldiers die for every kilometre gained in Ukraine and Putin doesn&rsquo;t seem to care</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/25/o0SfA5mLwefP2FTBN2K3.png" alt=" (Representative Image) A Russian service member rides in the back of a military buggy during combat training at a firing range in Russia's Krasnodar region. Photograph: (Reuters) ">
Russia is pushing large numbers of troops into battle, but their progress in Ukraine is slowing sharply due to extremely high losses, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tesla-ceo-regrets-supporting-donald-trump-in-united-states-9029278">'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/6TlO7d2UUscCTO4ALN9S.png" alt=" Photograph: (Reuters) ">
Tesla CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ice-cream-lincoln-bedroom-video-games-elon-musks-100-days-in-trump-admin-amid-reports-of-his-white-house-exit-9023602" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elon Musk</a> was recently asked in an interview if he regrets supporting Donald Trump, to which he responded with affirmation, before bursting into laughter and clarifying that he was joking.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-to-add-his-own-city-starbase-to-his-empire-spacex-texas-heres-all-you-need-to-know-9029598">&lsquo;He&rsquo;s trying to colonise&rsquo;: Elon Musk to add his own city, &lsquo;Starbase&rsquo;, to his empire - Here&rsquo;s all you need to know</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/dc8I7XmR10AUWTX9VngN.png" alt=" The new city would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas. Photograph: (Reuters, Wion Web Team) ">
Residents in a small part of southern Texas are voting on whether to turn their neighbourhood into a brand-new city, one that would give Elon Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX something close to its&nbsp;own&nbsp;government. The new&nbsp;city&nbsp;would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/flight-searched-at-sri-lanka-airport-on-suspicion-of-pahalgam-attackers-on-board-9029414">Flight searched at Sri Lanka airport on suspicion of Pahalgam attackers on board</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/5y17hCu8gdqXdS96kMus.jpg" alt=" Representative image Photograph: (ANI) ">
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A Sri Lankan Airlines flight arriving from Chennai was subjected to a comprehensive security search at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo on Saturday. The special security operation was carried out after Indian intelligence flagged potential suspects linked to the Pahalgam terror attack.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sports-anticlimax-rb-leipzig-score-stoppage-time-goal-as-harry-kane-and-bayern-munich-made-to-wait-for-bundesliga-title-9030058">Anticlimax! RB Leipzig score stoppage time goal as Harry Kane and Bayern Munich made to wait for Bundesliga title</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/rIdS6Q9t9u23sGZvlVSf.png" alt=" Anticlimax! RB Leipzig score stoppage time goal as Harry Kane and Bayern Munich made to wait for Bundesliga title Photograph: (AFP) ">
Harry Kane and Bayern Munich will have to wait for another day as a stoppage time goal from Yussuf Poulsen denied them the title on Saturday (May 3). Playing at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Bayern needed to win the match to lift the Bundesliga title as early as matchday 32.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/singer-sonu-nigam-clarifies-his-pahalgam-comments-made-at-recent-bengaluru-concert-9029789">Singer Sonu Nigam clarifies his Pahalgam comments made at recent Bengaluru concert</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/lWHcNuDOHJ77nppFvFx6.jpg" alt=" Sonu NIgam Photograph: (Instagram/sonunigamofficial) ">
Singer Sonu Nigam has landed in controversy following alleged comments made about the Kannada language during his recent concert in Bengaluru. A police complaint has been filed by a pro-Kannada organisation, accusing the singer of making offensive remarks that have upset local sentiments.
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Here are the top 10 stories from across the world.

Australia’s Anthony Albanese won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term. His centre-left Labor Party is poised to retain its majority government. India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack. Click on the headlines for more Australia Election Result: Anthony Albanese secures historic second term as Labor Party set to retain majority Australia’s Anthony Albanese won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term. His centre-left LaborParty is poised to retain its majority government India cracks the whip again, bans all Pak imports, mails and parcels, bars port access to ships India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack From Trump's rival to Trump’s problem solver: How Marco Rubio landed four top roles; critics say he did it by ‘becoming a doormat’ Once dismissed by Donald Trump as “Li’l Marco”, Marco Rubio is now one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration, holding not just one, but four top jobs. His transformation from political lightweight to presidential fixer has surprised many in Washington. 'Both blessing & curse': FBI boss Kash Patel spends more time in nightclubs than office and people are relieved, here's why FBI director Kash Patel is said to be seen more in nightclubs than in his office. Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi on MSNBC's Morning Joe program said Kash Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he would run the office. ‘Low quality troops, high casualties’: 99 Russian soldiers die for every kilometre gained in Ukraine and Putin doesn’t seem to care Russia is pushing large numbers of troops into battle, but their progress in Ukraine is slowing sharply due to extremely high losses, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). 'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump Tesla CEO Elon Musk was recently asked in an interview if he regrets supporting Donald Trump, to which he responded with affirmation, before bursting into laughter and clarifying that he was joking. ‘He’s trying to colonise’: Elon Musk to add his own city, ‘Starbase’, to his empire - Here’s all you need to know Residents in a small part of southern Texas are voting on whether to turn their neighbourhood into a brand-new city, one that would give Elon Musk’s SpaceX something close to its own government. The new city would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas. Flight searched at Sri Lanka airport on suspicion of Pahalgam attackers on board A Sri Lankan Airlines flight arriving from Chennai was subjected to a comprehensive security search at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo on Saturday. The special security operation was carried out after Indian intelligence flagged potential suspects linked to the Pahalgam terror attack. Anticlimax! RB Leipzig score stoppage time goal as Harry Kane and Bayern Munich made to wait for Bundesliga title Harry Kane and Bayern Munich will have to wait for another day as a stoppage time goal from Yussuf Poulsen denied them the title on Saturday (May 3). Playing at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Bayern needed to win the match to lift the Bundesliga title as early as matchday 32. Singer Sonu Nigam clarifies his Pahalgam comments made at recent Bengaluru concert Singer Sonu Nigam has landed in controversy following alleged comments made about the Kannada language during his recent concert in Bengaluru. A police complaint has been filed by a pro-Kannada organisation, accusing the singer of making offensive remarks that have upset local sentiments.

Top 10 world news: Anthony Albanese wins Australian Election; India's action against Pakistan continues post Pahalgam attack, and more

FBI director <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-violating-laws-secret-memo-reveals-ice-officials-can-break-into-homes-without-a-warrant-9008582">Kash Patel</a> is said to be seen more in nightclubs than in his office. Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi on MSNBC's Morning Joe program said Kash Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he would run the office.
Yeah well, reportedly, he's been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," Figliuzzi replied. "And there are reports that daily briefings to him have been changed from every day to maybe twice weekly," he said.&nbsp;
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tesla-ceo-regrets-supporting-donald-trump-in-united-states-9029278">'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump</a>
"So this is both a blessing and a curse, because if you, if he's, really trying to run things without his experience, without any experience level, things could be bad. If he's not plugged in, things could be bad. But he's allowing agents to run things so we don't know where this is going," he added.
Figliuzzi also revealed that the FBI headquarters is chaos as nobody knows what's happening from day to day. "People don't know what's happening from day to day."
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-marco-rubio-us-secretary-of-state-national-security-adviser-usaid-9029823">From Trump rival to Trump&rsquo;s problem solver: How Marco Rubio landed four top roles; critics say he did it by &lsquo;becoming a doormat&rsquo;</a>
He said that Kash Patel has been allegedly working from his home in Las Vegas. &nbsp;"There's also been reporting, I believe, from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, that Patel spent a lot of his time at his home in Las Vegas &ndash;&ndash; he's been sort of working remotely for at least part of the week," Figliuzzi said.
This revelation on Patel comes after Senate Democrats demanded a formal probe into Patel&rsquo;s use of FBI resources, particularly the agency&rsquo;s private jets. CBS News reported that the U.S. Government Accountability Office may soon investigate the nature and costs of Patel&rsquo;s travel, and whether any personal trips were improperly charged to taxpayers.
Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-agents-who-investigated-us-president-donald-trump-under-the-sword-amid-reports-of-mass-firings-or-sweeping-purge-8679596">'Retire, resign or be fired': FBI agents who investigated Trump under the sword amid reports of mass firings</a>

World | Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi on MSNBC's Morning Joe program said Kash Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office

FBI director Kash Patel is said to be seen more in nightclubs than in his office. Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi on MSNBC's Morning Joe program said Kash Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he would run the office. Yeah well, reportedly, he's been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," Figliuzzi replied. "And there are reports that daily briefings to him have been changed from every day to maybe twice weekly," he said. Read More | 'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump "So this is both a blessing and a curse, because if you, if he's, really trying to run things without his experience, without any experience level, things could be bad. If he's not plugged in, things could be bad. But he's allowing agents to run things so we don't know where this is going," he added. Figliuzzi also revealed that the FBI headquarters is chaos as nobody knows what's happening from day to day. "People don't know what's happening from day to day." Read More | From Trump rival to Trump’s problem solver: How Marco Rubio landed four top roles; critics say he did it by ‘becoming a doormat’ He said that Kash Patel has been allegedly working from his home in Las Vegas. "There's also been reporting, I believe, from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, that Patel spent a lot of his time at his home in Las Vegas –– he's been sort of working remotely for at least part of the week," Figliuzzi said. This revelation on Patel comes after Senate Democrats demanded a formal probe into Patel’s use of FBI resources, particularly the agency’s private jets. CBS News reported that the U.S. Government Accountability Office may soon investigate the nature and costs of Patel’s travel, and whether any personal trips were improperly charged to taxpayers. Read More | 'Retire, resign or be fired': FBI agents who investigated Trump under the sword amid reports of mass firings

'Both blessing & curse': FBI boss Kash Patel spends more time in nightclubs than office and people are relieved, here's why

The FBI on Friday (April 25) arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, accusing her of helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest by federal agents. The arrest has triggered fresh debate around the US administration&rsquo;s aggressive immigration enforcement efforts and growing tensions with the judiciary.
The news first surfaced through a post by Trump ally Kash Patel on social media platform X, stating, &ldquo;Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction &mdash; after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.&rdquo; Though the post was briefly taken down, Patel later reposted it with identical wording.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-director-kash-patel-wants-private-security-and-direct-hotline-to-trump-8835180">&lsquo;He didn&rsquo;t fully trust FBI agents&rsquo;: FBI Director Kash Patel wants private security and direct hotline&nbsp;to&nbsp;Trump</a>
A spokesperson for the US Marshals Service confirmed the arrest, while the White House made its stance clear through a strongly worded statement.
<h2>White House: 'No more aiding illegal aliens'</h2>
 Kush DeSai, spokesperson for the Trump administration, said, &ldquo;The days of actively aiding and abetting illegal aliens invading our country are over.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;The Trump administration will never waver on putting Americans and America First with a no-nonsense approach to immigration enforcement. In this administration, anyone who commits crimes exposes themselves to criminal liability.&rdquo;
Attorney General Pam Bondi also weighed in, writing on X, &ldquo;No one is above the law.&rdquo;
<h2>What happened inside the courthouse</h2>
According to an affidavit, the incident in question occurred on 18 April when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse with a warrant to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. He had been deported in 2013 but had returned illegally and was due in court for a hearing related to battery and domestic abuse.
Judge Dugan, who was handling an unrelated case at the time, was informed by a public defender about ICE&rsquo;s presence. She then left the courtroom and reportedly told the agents they required a different kind of warrant and should speak to Chief Judge Carl Ashley. She allegedly helped Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer exit through a private hallway door, allowing them to slip past law enforcement.
Flores-Ruiz was eventually caught after leading officers on a foot chase outside the courthouse.
<h2>Allegations and response</h2>
Patel stated that Dugan&rsquo;s actions put the public at risk, writing, &ldquo;We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject, an illegal alien, to evade arrest.&rdquo;
Earlier this week, when questioned by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dugan had denied the allegations, saying by email, &ldquo;Nearly every fact regarding the &lsquo;tips&rsquo; in your email is inaccurate.&rdquo;
During her court appearance on Friday, Dugan&rsquo;s lawyer, Craig Mastantuono, said: &ldquo;Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.&rdquo;

World: Kush Desai, spokesperson for the Trump administration, said, “The days of actively aiding and abetting illegal aliens invading our country are over.”

The FBI on Friday (April 25) arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, accusing her of helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest by federal agents. The arrest has triggered fresh debate around the US administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement efforts and growing tensions with the judiciary. The news first surfaced through a post by Trump ally Kash Patel on social media platform X, stating, “Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on charges of obstruction — after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.” Though the post was briefly taken down, Patel later reposted it with identical wording. Also read: ‘He didn’t fully trust FBI agents’: FBI Director Kash Patel wants private security and direct hotline to Trump A spokesperson for the US Marshals Service confirmed the arrest, while the White House made its stance clear through a strongly worded statement. White House: 'No more aiding illegal aliens' Kush DeSai, spokesperson for the Trump administration, said, “The days of actively aiding and abetting illegal aliens invading our country are over.” He added, “The Trump administration will never waver on putting Americans and America First with a no-nonsense approach to immigration enforcement. In this administration, anyone who commits crimes exposes themselves to criminal liability.” Attorney General Pam Bondi also weighed in, writing on X, “No one is above the law.” What happened inside the courthouse According to an affidavit, the incident in question occurred on 18 April when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse with a warrant to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. He had been deported in 2013 but had returned illegally and was due in court for a hearing related to battery and domestic abuse. Judge Dugan, who was handling an unrelated case at the time, was informed by a public defender about ICE’s presence. She then left the courtroom and reportedly told the agents they required a different kind of warrant and should speak to Chief Judge Carl Ashley. She allegedly helped Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer exit through a private hallway door, allowing them to slip past law enforcement. Flores-Ruiz was eventually caught after leading officers on a foot chase outside the courthouse. Allegations and response Patel stated that Dugan’s actions put the public at risk, writing, “We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject, an illegal alien, to evade arrest.” Earlier this week, when questioned by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dugan had denied the allegations, saying by email, “Nearly every fact regarding the ‘tips’ in your email is inaccurate.” During her court appearance on Friday, Dugan’s lawyer, Craig Mastantuono, said: “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.”

‘No one is above the law’: US judge arrested by Kash Patel-led FBI for helping illegal alien escape under Trump’s immigration crackdown

Kash Patel has been removed as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). According to reports, Patel hadn't been seen at an ATF facility for weeks. He has now been replaced by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll. Watch in for more details!

FBI director Kash Patel removed as acting chief of firearms, alcohol body

FBI&rsquo;s new chief, Kash Patel, took to X on Sunday (Mar 9) to flaunt his new look as he joins agents in a field exercise. The bureau&rsquo;s new director is giving a competition to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was dubbed &lsquo;ICE Barbie&rsquo; for her glamorous appearances in a bulletproof vest.
Patel, who is often seen in professional attire, wearing a suit and tie, was seen in a camouflage vest, a grey windbreaker, with matching sunglasses and a baseball hat.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-director-kash-patel-wants-private-security-and-direct-hotline-to-trump-8835180">&lsquo;He didn&rsquo;t fully trust FBI agents&rsquo;: FBI Director Kash Patel wants private security and direct hotline&nbsp;to&nbsp;Trump</a>
&ldquo;I am 1000% behind this FBI,&rdquo; he wrote in the caption as he shared his new look during what appears to be a drill. It is not clear where the pictures were clicked.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am 1000% behind this FBI&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/SDxPvrotV7">pic.twitter.com/SDxPvrotV7</a>
&mdash; Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kash_Patel/status/1898814219744837805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
Patel is among US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s most controversial administration picks, having already sparked controversy within the bureau.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-radical-left-lunatics-pins-hope-on-fbi-chief-kash-patel-to-enforce-law-8792602">Trump applauds FBI chief Kash Patel in address to Congress as he slams 'lunatic' Left</a>
As part of his premier initiatives, the new FBI chief has planned to partner with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), bringing in their trainers to improve the agents&rsquo; physical fitness and skills.
<h2>FBI chief vs ICE Barbie</h2>
Patel&rsquo;s latest outfit choice has evoked competition with another Trump cabinet pick, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem has earned the nickname &lsquo;ICE Barbie&rsquo; for her several appearances during field operations as she dons a bulletproof vest with make-up and perfectly styled hair.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kristi-noem-says-kids-of-migrants-have-the-option-to-not-cross-us-border-illegally-8838835">Kristi Noem says kids of migrants 'have the option' to not cross US border 'illegally'</a>
The 53-year-old former South Dakota governor was first seen in her glammed look during a photo-op in New York City, when the first major deportations raid took place under the Trump administration.
She has also been called &lsquo;Cosplay Kristi&rsquo; for wearing a giant cowboy hat during NBC&rsquo;s Meet the Press segment.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-zelensky-us-president-donald-trump-makes-sarcastic-joke-about-white-house-suit-criticism-8837663">&lsquo;Sorry I&rsquo;m not in a suit&rsquo;: Ukraine&rsquo;s Zelensky makes sarcastic joke about Trump&rsquo;s attire criticism</a>
Last week she accompanied the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for a series of raids undertaken to hunt down gang members and sex criminals in Virginia. She was seen in full tactical gear as she participated in the operation.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We will not be deterred by leaks. If you come to this country and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Successful enforcement operation this morning&mdash;getting MS-13 members, 18th Street gang members and perpetrators of sexual crimes off our streets. <a href="https://t.co/67iqcFJw6x">pic.twitter.com/67iqcFJw6x</a>
&mdash; Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem/status/1896899210282504249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The outfit choices of Trump&rsquo;s key cabinet members reflect the president&rsquo;s concerns on how his subordinates appear in public. Noem and Patel seem to be catching up to the president&rsquo;s appreciation for outfits with their choice of attire and presentation.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Trending | Patel, who is often seen in professional attire, wearing a suit and tie, was seen in a camouflage vest, a grey windbreaker, with matching sunglasses and a baseball hat.

FBI’s new chief, Kash Patel, took to X on Sunday (Mar 9) to flaunt his new look as he joins agents in a field exercise. The bureau’s new director is giving a competition to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was dubbed ‘ICE Barbie’ for her glamorous appearances in a bulletproof vest. Patel, who is often seen in professional attire, wearing a suit and tie, was seen in a camouflage vest, a grey windbreaker, with matching sunglasses and a baseball hat. Also read | ‘He didn’t fully trust FBI agents’: FBI Director Kash Patel wants private security and direct hotline to Trump “I am 1000% behind this FBI,” he wrote in the caption as he shared his new look during what appears to be a drill. It is not clear where the pictures were clicked. I am 1000% behind this FBI pic.twitter.com/SDxPvrotV7 — Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) March 9, 2025 Patel is among US President Donald Trump’s most controversial administration picks, having already sparked controversy within the bureau. Also read | Trump applauds FBI chief Kash Patel in address to Congress as he slams 'lunatic' Left As part of his premier initiatives, the new FBI chief has planned to partner with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), bringing in their trainers to improve the agents’ physical fitness and skills. FBI chief vs ICE Barbie Patel’s latest outfit choice has evoked competition with another Trump cabinet pick, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem has earned the nickname ‘ICE Barbie’ for her several appearances during field operations as she dons a bulletproof vest with make-up and perfectly styled hair. Also read | Kristi Noem says kids of migrants 'have the option' to not cross US border 'illegally' The 53-year-old former South Dakota governor was first seen in her glammed look during a photo-op in New York City, when the first major deportations raid took place under the Trump administration. She has also been called ‘Cosplay Kristi’ for wearing a giant cowboy hat during NBC’s Meet the Press segment. Also read | ‘Sorry I’m not in a suit’: Ukraine’s Zelensky makes sarcastic joke about Trump’s attire criticism Last week she accompanied the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for a series of raids undertaken to hunt down gang members and sex criminals in Virginia. She was seen in full tactical gear as she participated in the operation. We will not be deterred by leaks. If you come to this country and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Successful enforcement operation this morning—getting MS-13 members, 18th Street gang members and perpetrators of sexual crimes off our streets. pic.twitter.com/67iqcFJw6x — Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) March 4, 2025 The outfit choices of Trump’s key cabinet members reflect the president’s concerns on how his subordinates appear in public. Noem and Patel seem to be catching up to the president’s appreciation for outfits with their choice of attire and presentation. (With inputs from agencies)

FBI chief Kash Patel gives competition to ‘ICE Barbie’ Kristi Noem as he flexes his new look | See photos

Donald Trump&rsquo;s newly appointed FBI Director, Kash Patel, has made a series of unusual requests that would have been unthinkable in previous administrations, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Patel, a close ally of Trump, was confirmed by the narrowest margin in the US Senate. Shortly after taking office, he reportedly asked for direct phone lines to Trump from both his office and home, bypassing the Department of Justice's usual chain of communication.
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"Senior FBI officials can&rsquo;t bring cellphones into their offices given the security risks. A secure landline already sits on the desks of many top FBI officials that can connect them to the White House switchboard, the CIA, and other national security agencies, but Patel asked how to connect directly with Trump&rsquo;s Oval Office," the report said.
His first move as director was to remove all existing executive staffers from the seventh floor, where his office is located. Patel also explored "an arrangement outside the traditional chain of command in which the FBI director reports to the deputy attorney general, and the president usually talks only to the attorney general," according to the Journal.
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<h2>Patel looked into hiring his own private security detail</h2>
Additionally, Patel has reportedly looked into hiring his own private security detail, despite already having FBI agents assigned for his protection. The report added, "Patel asked about having a separate detail, in an apparent suggestion that he didn&rsquo;t fully trust the FBI agents, according to people familiar with the request."
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Historically, J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI&rsquo;s first director, maintained a direct phone line to the president from his home, but directors since then have deliberately sought to keep a clear separation between the FBI and the White House, Yale history professor Beverly Gage told The Wall Street Journal.
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They aimed to present "the FBI as the nonpartisan, nonpolitical institution and the president as something else," Gage said.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Patel, a close ally of Trump, was confirmed by the narrowest margin in the US Senate. Shortly after taking office, he reportedly asked for direct phone lines to Trump from both his office and home.

Donald Trump’s newly appointed FBI Director, Kash Patel, has made a series of unusual requests that would have been unthinkable in previous administrations, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Patel, a close ally of Trump, was confirmed by the narrowest margin in the US Senate. Shortly after taking office, he reportedly asked for direct phone lines to Trump from both his office and home, bypassing the Department of Justice's usual chain of communication. Also read: 'They aim at domination': Khamenei condemns ‘bullying’ after Trump’s military action threat against Iran "Senior FBI officials can’t bring cellphones into their offices given the security risks. A secure landline already sits on the desks of many top FBI officials that can connect them to the White House switchboard, the CIA, and other national security agencies, but Patel asked how to connect directly with Trump’s Oval Office," the report said. His first move as director was to remove all existing executive staffers from the seventh floor, where his office is located. Patel also explored "an arrangement outside the traditional chain of command in which the FBI director reports to the deputy attorney general, and the president usually talks only to the attorney general," according to the Journal. Also read: 'You will regret this to your grave': Indian-American Kash Patel confirmed as FBI director Patel looked into hiring his own private security detail Additionally, Patel has reportedly looked into hiring his own private security detail, despite already having FBI agents assigned for his protection. The report added, "Patel asked about having a separate detail, in an apparent suggestion that he didn’t fully trust the FBI agents, according to people familiar with the request." Also read: ‘Free speech’ but with limits: ‘Equality’, ‘pregnant people’ among words banned under Trump’s ‘woke’ crackdown Historically, J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI’s first director, maintained a direct phone line to the president from his home, but directors since then have deliberately sought to keep a clear separation between the FBI and the White House, Yale history professor Beverly Gage told The Wall Street Journal. Also read: ‘Highly unpredictable’: How Trump’s obsession made Greenland’s election the most important in its history They aimed to present "the FBI as the nonpartisan, nonpolitical institution and the president as something else," Gage said. (With inputs from agencies)

‘He didn’t fully trust FBI agents’: FBI Director Kash Patel wants private security and direct hotline to Trump

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night (Mar 4) delivered his first speech at the Congress after reassuming office. His speech was filled with 'thank yous' something the Trump administration is particular about. The president showed gratitude towards Indian-origin FBI Director Kash Patel and applauded him for his work. Bestowing faith on Patel, Trump wants to clean the justice system that was 'turned upside down by radical left lunatics.'
The 78-year-old touted his administration has been working to 'restore fair, equal, and impartial justice'.
"Good luck and thank you, Kash," said Trump as the FBI director received a standing ovation from Republican lawmakers in the house.
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The 47th President of America is very particular about expressing gratitude. In a recent meeting with Ukrainian President, both Trump and Vice President JD Vance were seen questioning Zelensky if he had thanked the president enough.
They didn't want no for an answer, but even Zelensky's 'yes' was not convincing them. So while making America great again, this administration will be thanking many.
"In recent years, our justice system has been turned upside down by radical left lunatics. Many jurisdictions virtually seized enforcing the law against dangers, repeat offenders while weaponising law enforcement against political opponents like me. My administration has acted swiftly and decisively to restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law," he said in his speech.
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He further added, "They've already started very strong; they are going to do a fantastic job, and you're going to be very proud of them."
Donald Trump's second term in the White House was seemingly different from the previous one. The very first day began with signing executive orders and making changes that he claims will 'Make America Great Again'.

World Trending news: The president showed gratitude towards FBI Director Kash Patel and applauded him for his work.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night (Mar 4) delivered his first speech at the Congress after reassuming office. His speech was filled with 'thank yous' something the Trump administration is particular about. The president showed gratitude towards Indian-origin FBI Director Kash Patel and applauded him for his work. Bestowing faith on Patel, Trump wants to clean the justice system that was 'turned upside down by radical left lunatics.' The 78-year-old touted his administration has been working to 'restore fair, equal, and impartial justice'. "Good luck and thank you, Kash," said Trump as the FBI director received a standing ovation from Republican lawmakers in the house. Also read: Donald Trump says we will get Greenland 'one way or the other' The 47th President of America is very particular about expressing gratitude. In a recent meeting with Ukrainian President, both Trump and Vice President JD Vance were seen questioning Zelensky if he had thanked the president enough. They didn't want no for an answer, but even Zelensky's 'yes' was not convincing them. So while making America great again, this administration will be thanking many. "In recent years, our justice system has been turned upside down by radical left lunatics. Many jurisdictions virtually seized enforcing the law against dangers, repeat offenders while weaponising law enforcement against political opponents like me. My administration has acted swiftly and decisively to restore fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law," he said in his speech. Also read: Donald Trump asks Congress to applaud DOGE chief Elon Musk as democrats hold signs 'Musk steals' He further added, "They've already started very strong; they are going to do a fantastic job, and you're going to be very proud of them." Donald Trump's second term in the White House was seemingly different from the previous one. The very first day began with signing executive orders and making changes that he claims will 'Make America Great Again'.

Trump applauds FBI chief Kash Patel in address to Congress as he slams 'lunatic' Left

Elon Musk's recent directive to federal employees has sparked significant controversy. He demanded that employees &ldquo;justify their work&rdquo; from the previous week within 48 hours or face automatic resignation. His move faced an unexpected backlash from within the Trump administration on Sunday in what is seen as an early sign of power struggles to come.&nbsp;
The pushback came from Kash Patel, who took over as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Saturday.
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<h2 dir="ltr">&lsquo;Pause any responses&rsquo;</h2>
Reportedly, Patel has asked all FBI employees to "pause any responses" to Musk's email ultimatum to federal workers that he sent as part of his supposedly unofficial role as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
"FBI personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information. The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures. When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses," Patel told his staff in an email, according to an NBC report.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Musk&rsquo;s ultimatum</h2>
Hours after US President Donald Trump pushed him to be "more aggressive" in slashing government spending, Elon Musk, the billionaire advisor to the president, said that all US federal employees must justify their work or lose their jobs.
"All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation," Musk wrote.
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According to an AFP report, federal workers were asked to submit "approx. 5 bullets of what you accomplished last week."
The email came from the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with the subject line "What did you do last week?". The deadline to reply was 11:59 pm Monday, though the message did not say failure to do so would lead to termination.
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World: Elon Musk's latest directive to federal employees demands weekly work justification within hours, or they risk automatic resignation, causing widespread debate.

Elon Musk's recent directive to federal employees has sparked significant controversy. He demanded that employees “justify their work” from the previous week within 48 hours or face automatic resignation. His move faced an unexpected backlash from within the Trump administration on Sunday in what is seen as an early sign of power struggles to come. The pushback came from Kash Patel, who took over as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Saturday. Also read | Donald Trump recruited by Moscow in the 1980s? Ex-KGB officer makes bold claim ‘Pause any responses’ Reportedly, Patel has asked all FBI employees to "pause any responses" to Musk's email ultimatum to federal workers that he sent as part of his supposedly unofficial role as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). "FBI personnel may have received an email from OPM requesting information. The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all of our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures. When and if further information is required, we will coordinate the responses. For now, please pause any responses," Patel told his staff in an email, according to an NBC report. Also read | Pennsylvania hospital shooting: Cop killed, 5 others injured. What we know so far Musk’s ultimatum Hours after US President Donald Trump pushed him to be "more aggressive" in slashing government spending, Elon Musk, the billionaire advisor to the president, said that all US federal employees must justify their work or lose their jobs. "All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week. Failure to respond will be taken as a resignation," Musk wrote. Also read | 'Pray for me,' says Pope in message from hospital as he undergoes treatment for double pneumonia According to an AFP report, federal workers were asked to submit "approx. 5 bullets of what you accomplished last week." The email came from the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with the subject line "What did you do last week?". The deadline to reply was 11:59 pm Monday, though the message did not say failure to do so would lead to termination. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Pause any responses’: Kash Patel asks FBI employees to ignore Musk’s ‘Justify your job’ directive

Newly appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel who officially took oath on Friday (Feb 21) on the Bhagavad Gita has sparked discussions.
His decision to take the oath on the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, has drawn parallels to his past criticism of Western media coverage of Ayodhya's Ram Temple.
Kash Patel has been confirmed as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after a narrow US Senate vote of 51-49.&nbsp;
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<h2 dir="ltr">Kash Patel takes stance on Ram Temple</h2>
Although Kash Patel has regularly affirmed his love for the United States and his commitment towards America, he also once took a strong stance against major Western media organisations regarding Ayodhya's Ram Temple.
Several media outlets framed the Ram Temple&rsquo;s consecration on January 22, 2024, as a symbol of rising Hindu nationalism. However, Kash Patel lashed out at this narrative, criticising the reports for fixating on the Babri Masjid demolition dispute while overlooking the site's deep-rooted Hindu heritage.
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He accused major Western media organisations of focusing only on the last 50 years of history while ignoring the preceding 500 years.
"To bring things really up to date, the opening of Ram's temple, when PM Modi went there, all Washington newspapers only covered the last 50 years of history. They forgot the 500 preceding years. Whether or not you are Hindu or Muslim, there was a Hindu temple there for one of the quintessential gods in the Hindu pantheon in 1500 that was toppled, and they have been trying to get it back for 500 years," The Times of India quoted Kash Patel as saying.
<h2 dir="ltr">&ldquo;Disinformation campaign&rdquo;</h2>
He described the US media's coverage as a &ldquo;disinformation campaign&rdquo;.
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"But the Washington establishment forgot that part of history to put on what I believe is a disinformation campaign that's harmful to India and the PM's (Narendra Modi) position. They're using that because I think they liken Trump and Modi as similar figures and the establishment class in Washington doesn't want that to be the case," Patel added.
<h2 dir="ltr">Patel&rsquo;s commitment to Hindu heritage</h2>
Patel played a key role in crafting Donald Trump's speech during his visit to Ahmedabad, India, ensuring it resonated with the local audience. Patel reportedly added references to iconic Indian figures Sachin Tendulkar and Swami Vivekananda, aiming to strike a chord with the audience.
Notably, Kash Patel has not shied away from showing his Hindu traditionalism. During his Senate confirmation hearing as well, he had touched his parents' feet, a gesture which is considered as a sign of respect in Indian culture. He even included the chant of 'Jai Shri Krishna' in his closing statement at the Senate, reaffirming his faith in his cultural and spiritual roots.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Kash Patel, the new FBI director, chose the Bhagavad Gita for his oath, sparking discussions about his past views on media portrayals of the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

Newly appointed director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel who officially took oath on Friday (Feb 21) on the Bhagavad Gita has sparked discussions. His decision to take the oath on the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, has drawn parallels to his past criticism of Western media coverage of Ayodhya's Ram Temple. Kash Patel has been confirmed as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after a narrow US Senate vote of 51-49. Also read | '$21 mn going to my friend PM Modi for voter turnout’ Trump’s third swipe on USAID Kash Patel takes stance on Ram Temple Although Kash Patel has regularly affirmed his love for the United States and his commitment towards America, he also once took a strong stance against major Western media organisations regarding Ayodhya's Ram Temple. Several media outlets framed the Ram Temple’s consecration on January 22, 2024, as a symbol of rising Hindu nationalism. However, Kash Patel lashed out at this narrative, criticising the reports for fixating on the Babri Masjid demolition dispute while overlooking the site's deep-rooted Hindu heritage. Also read | Zelensky backing down on minerals deal? Ukrainian Prez's video suggests Trump may have won this round of negotiations He accused major Western media organisations of focusing only on the last 50 years of history while ignoring the preceding 500 years. "To bring things really up to date, the opening of Ram's temple, when PM Modi went there, all Washington newspapers only covered the last 50 years of history. They forgot the 500 preceding years. Whether or not you are Hindu or Muslim, there was a Hindu temple there for one of the quintessential gods in the Hindu pantheon in 1500 that was toppled, and they have been trying to get it back for 500 years," The Times of India quoted Kash Patel as saying. “Disinformation campaign” He described the US media's coverage as a “disinformation campaign”. Also read | 'False and fabricated': Why was Indian-American Ruby Dhalla disqualified from Canada PM race? "But the Washington establishment forgot that part of history to put on what I believe is a disinformation campaign that's harmful to India and the PM's (Narendra Modi) position. They're using that because I think they liken Trump and Modi as similar figures and the establishment class in Washington doesn't want that to be the case," Patel added. Patel’s commitment to Hindu heritage Patel played a key role in crafting Donald Trump's speech during his visit to Ahmedabad, India, ensuring it resonated with the local audience. Patel reportedly added references to iconic Indian figures Sachin Tendulkar and Swami Vivekananda, aiming to strike a chord with the audience. Notably, Kash Patel has not shied away from showing his Hindu traditionalism. During his Senate confirmation hearing as well, he had touched his parents' feet, a gesture which is considered as a sign of respect in Indian culture. He even included the chant of 'Jai Shri Krishna' in his closing statement at the Senate, reaffirming his faith in his cultural and spiritual roots. (With inputs from agencies)

Embracing roots: FBI chief Kash Patel's notable displays of Hindu heritage

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