Patel's Controversial Trips Could Cost Him His Job: Report
Kash Patel, 2020. Photo courtesy of Sgt. Keisha Brown, U.S. Army. Public domain.
President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a shake-up at the FBI, with sources revealing that FBI Director Kash Patel could be on the chopping block. The president's perceived frustration with Patel's recent headlines and management style has sparked internal discussions about a possible replacement, with Andrew Bailey, a senior FBI official, emerging as the leading candidate to take over the bureau's top job.
Patel's Troubles Mount
Patel, 45, has been the subject of allegations involving his use of government resources and management decisions that have drawn unwanted media attention and reportedly irritated key figures within the Trump administration. According to multiple anonymous sources familiar with the situation, Patel allegedly used the FBI's government jet for personal trips, including a wrestling match in Pennsylvania and a golf outing in Scotland with friends, as reported by The Daily Beast. These trips coincided with performances by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, raising questions about the appropriateness of such expenditures.
Further reports claim Patel insisted on a security detail from a SWAT team for Wilkins during her performance at an NRA event in Atlanta. This demand reportedly caused friction within the bureau and drew criticism from U.S. attorney general Pam Bondi, who has expressed frustration with Patel's social media posts and the distractions they create for ongoing investigations, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Flight records analyzed by The Wall Street Journal, and reported by The Daily Beast, suggest Patel made nine trips to Las Vegas and seven to Nashville on the FBI's dime. These trips, combined with the security detail controversy, have contributed to a narrative of a director whose personal life and use of agency resources have become liabilities.
Andrew Bailey: The Logical Successor
Amid the growing dissatisfaction, Andrew Bailey has been positioned as the logical replacement. Bailey, who previously served as Missouri's state attorney general, was appointed co-deputy director of the FBI in September. He is viewed by many within the bureau as a steady hand, contrasting with Patel's more controversial tenure. Under federal law, Bailey could assume the role of acting FBI director without Senate confirmation after serving 90 days in his current position, which he will reach in mid-December, allowing him to serve as acting director for up to 210 days.
Bailey's appointment as co-deputy director came amid concerns about Dan Bongino, Patel's other deputy, who lacks prior FBI experience and is considered a long shot for the top job. The administration's move to elevate Bailey signals a preference for experience and stability as tensions rise around Patel's leadership.
Trump's Public Support vs. Private Frustration
Despite the swirling rumors and anonymous leaks, the White House has publicly denied any plans to remove Patel. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to X (formerly Twitter) to call the ouster reports "completely made up," as reported by The Daily Beast. She posted a photo of Trump and Patel smiling and giving thumbs-up signs, emphasizing the president's confidence in his FBI director. Leavitt wrote that when she read the headline to Trump, he laughed and dismissed the story as false, even encouraging Patel to pose for the photo to prove he was "doing a great job."
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson echoed this sentiment, praising Patel as a "critical member of the President's team" who is "working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI," as reported by MS Now. At a recent White House event, Trump publicly commended Patel, noting he was "very busy doing a great job," and joking about Patel's "following" among attendees.
Internal Strains and Agency Optics
Behind the scenes, however, the picture is less rosy. Sources indicate that Patel's relationship with U.S. attorney general Pam Bondi has become strained, largely due to Patel's social media activity and the negative press surrounding his use of taxpayer resources. Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly view Patel's actions as distractions that threaten to undermine ongoing investigations, as reported by MS Now.
The tension extends beyond personnel to the broader optics of the FBI under Patel's leadership. Critics within the bureau argue that Patel and Bongino's lack of traditional FBI experience has contributed to internal discord and public relations challenges. Bailey's reputation as a "steady hand" contrasts sharply with Patel's more controversial profile, making him a favored alternative among some Republican insiders.
Speculation on Patel's Future
With Trump reportedly "eyeing" Patel's removal and sources describing Patel as "on thin ice," as MS Now writes, speculation is rife about whether Patel's days as FBI director are numbered. The president's apparent willingness to consider a leadership change reflects a broader intolerance for negative headlines and a desire to project control over the bureau's image.
Yet, the White House's public denials and the president's visible support for Patel complicate the narrative. The conflicting signals suggest a delicate balancing act between managing internal frustrations and maintaining a united front.
What Comes Next?
Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, Bailey could step in as acting FBI director as early as mid-December, serving for up to 210 days without Senate confirmation. This timeline adds urgency to the speculation about Patel's future and the administration's plans for the bureau's leadership.
For now, the story remains fluid and ongoing. Trump's public praise of Patel contrasts with anonymous reports of dissatisfaction and potential ouster plans. Whether Patel will survive the mounting pressure or make way for Bailey remains to be seen, but the drama unfolding at the FBI's top ranks offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of personal brand risk, agency optics, and political power plays.
The next few months could prove decisive for Patel's tenure and the direction of the FBI under Trump's second term.
References: Trump is weighing replacing FBI Director Kash Patel, according to sources | Keystone Kash Facing Axe Over Alleged Misuse of FBI Jet | White House Denies Trump Considering Ouster of FBI's Patel
