Kash Patel is performing for an audience of onepublished at 15:07 BST
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC
Over the past two days, we’ve seen Kash Patel become the focus of mounting criticism for his handling of the Charlie Kirk assassination – to which he’s mounted a robust defence on American airwaves, and again today.
Yesterday, he took the unusual step of appearing on Fox News twice, defending his handling of the case and detailing “shocking” evidence that he says the FBI has uncovered as a result of what he’s described as an aggressive posture.
While Patel is addressing any criticism on national airwaves, he is also performing for President Trump at a time when some US news outlets – including Fox – have reported growing exasperation with Patel from within the administration.
These apparent tensions did not begin with the Kirk case, and also included reports of a spat with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Many in the White House and broader “Trump world” are keenly aware that Patel – who lacked the qualifications and experience of previous FBI directors – was a controversial pick for the job.
So far – at least publicly – Trump has stood by Patel. The two reportedly played golf together at Trump’s estate in New Jersey over the weekend, and Trump said Patel was doing a “great job”.
Many in the White House, however, will be carefully watching Patel’s appearance on Capitol Hill to gauge whether criticism from Democrats needs to be addressed.