1 day ago
Last Updated:May 29, 2025, 16:15 IST
Patel blamed the former director for sparking a wave of copycat threats against US President Donald Trump
Patel accused Comey of encouraging a culture of political showmanship at the FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has criticised former bureau chief James Comey, saying his actions have made the agency’s work more difficult and more dangerous.
In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Patel accused Comey of encouraging a culture of political showmanship at the FBI. He also blamed the former director for sparking a wave of copycat threats against US President Donald Trump, after Comey posted — then deleted — an Instagram photo showing the number “86 47".
Some Republicans and US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said they believed the post was a veiled threat against Trump, leading to an official investigation.
“If he wants to come after me, no problem. I’ve been living rent-free in that guy’s head for years," Patel said. “Do you know how many copycats we’ve had to investigate because of that beachside post from the former director?"
Patel claimed Comey’s actions have distracted agents from serious threats. “I’ve had to pull agents off cases involving child predators, fentanyl traffickers and terrorists," he told Baier. “People see Comey’s post and think it’s fine to joke about threats to the president’s life — but it’s not. And now we’re having to deal with it."
Patel also criticised Comey’s past leadership of the FBI, saying it lowered morale and hurt the bureau’s public image. “The FBI is bigger than any leader it’s ever had or ever will have. And James Comey is a private citizen, and he can walk around the beach and talk about seashells and crayons for all I care about and talk about how we’re the conspiracy theorists."
He went on to say that Comey’s most serious mistake was misusing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court process during the 2016 election. “That man was a leader of the FBI, he perpetrated the largest criminal conspiracy, packaged political information from overseas, took it to a federal FISA court and illegally surveilled a political opponent," Patel said. “I won’t be lectured by him on how to run the FBI."
Location :United States of America (USA)
First Published:News world Kash Patel Blasts Ex-FBI Chief For 'Threat Post,' Accuses Him Of Damaging Bureau’s Reputation
