Overview

• Patel has reduced the FBI director's daily intelligence briefings from five days a week to two and canceled weekly teleconferences with field office leaders, raising concerns about leadership and communication gaps.
• Flight records reveal Patel used FBI planes for personal trips to Nashville, Las Vegas, and New York, prompting questions about compliance with bureau policies, though an FBI spokesperson insists ethical guidelines were followed.
• Patel testified before Congress without a fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, initially requesting a $1 billion increase before reversing his position to align with President Trump's plan to cut FBI funding.
• Critics, including current and former FBI and DOJ officials, describe a 'leadership void' under Patel, citing his frequent absences at key meetings and public appearances at celebrity events.
• An FBI spokesperson has defended Patel's actions, stating he attends five morning meetings weekly and adheres to ethical standards, despite growing bipartisan scrutiny and internal unease.