By Martin Shwenk Leade

Copyright indiatimes

Though Kash Patel is facing criticism, President Donald Trump has praised his leadership and the FBI’s investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

FBI director Kash Patel has come under fire for allegedly dining at the upscale Rao’s pasta restaurant in New York City on Wednesday after Charlie Kirk’s tragic killing, according to NBC News. The report claimed that Patel was dining at Rao’s Italian restaurant in East Harlem hours after Charlie Kirk was shot and pronounced dead.Co-incidently around the same time, Kash Patel’s X handle posted that the suspect was in custody which had to be corrected later by Patel himself. The individual who was initially arrested in connection with Charlie Kirk’s shooting was released as he was not the right person, Patel later clarified.ALSO READ: Teacher suspended after showing Charlie Kirk assassination video to 10-and 11-year-olds, said he “deserved to die”Kash Patel to be fired?FBI Director Kash Patel’s activities during the investigation of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination raise questions about his decision-making during a crisis, four former FBI officials and two administration officials told NBC News. From the shooting Wednesday to a suspect’s arrest Friday, Patel took steps that gave pause to some federal and local officials and raised questions about his judgment, the sources said.Those actions ranged from where Patel was on the evening of the assassination to what a former official described as “grandstanding” by Patel about his own role after the arrest.Live Events“He has heard concerns about how this looks,” an administration official said in a statement. “There are a lot of shaking heads.” Amid speculations that Kash Patel to be ousted as FBI chief, there are rumours swirling online that former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who will be sworn in as a new deputy director of the FBI in a power-sharing role with Dan Bongino, will eventually replace Patel, The Fox reported citing sources.Though Patel is facing criticism, President Donald Trump has praised his leadership and the FBI’s investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk.ALSO READ: Ricky Hatton’s cause of death revealed? Ex- world boxing champion’s final moments hours before his demise captured Inside sources reveal Trump’s frustration with Patel runs deeper than a botched arrest in the Charlie Kirk case. Tensions reportedly trace back to Patel’s clash with Pam Bondi over the Epstein controversy. According to Fox, both the White House and Bondi’s team—including her deputy Todd Blanche—have lost confidence in Patel, with Bondi said to particularly harbor strong disdain for him.Christopher O’Leary, a senior former FBI counterterrorism official, said Patel’s handling of the investigation showed that “he’s got zero leadership experience and capabilities.”A current law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the “horrific event” of Kirk’s killing showcased Patel’s “public inability to meet the moment as a leader.”However, Andrew Bailey issued a statement to Fox clarifying that he is not replacing Patel. “Any suggestion that I was brought in to replace anyone in leadership at the FBI or spin my appointment into a sign of division, is simply false – I am honored to serve the FBI and Department of Justice as we work together to keep our nation safe,” he said.Kash Patel’s expletive-laden video viralReports also suggest that Kash Patel lashed out at agents during an intense and expletive-ridden virtual video meeting Thursday afternoon with FBI teams across the country. Kash Patel criticized agents for failing to provide timely information, even claiming they did not wake him in the middle of the night when images of the suspect first emerged, CNN reported, citing sources.ALSO READ: After Charlie Kirk shooting, Tyler Robinson’s alt-right links to Nick Fuentes spark outrage, activist breaks silence His ire was directed squarely at the Salt Lake City special agent in charge, who had just assumed the role after his predecessor was ousted. After a 33-hour hunt, Tyler Robinson was named as the killer after his father turned him in. The developments leave room for not only critics but also Republicans to question what exactly the law enforcement did apart from releasing the photos of the suspect. Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon said it was the family that gets the credit for turning Tyler in.A White House official defended Patel’s performance, saying in a statement that the FBI director “is working night and day” on the case.”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,” the official said. “The focus is justice, and this killer will face the full wrath of the justice system.”A senior White House official said in a separate statement Sunday that President Donald Trump has confidence in Patel and his handling of the investigation. “The president spoke on it this morning and said he thinks everyone has done an amazing job,” the official said.Two administration officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to New York Times, said Patel was told not to appear at news conferences in Utah or make other public comments until there was an arrest.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News oncharlie kirk shootingKash PatelCharlie Kirkkash patel charlie kirk assassinationkash patel controversykash patel to be firedkash patel charlie kirk probekash patel fbi directorkash patel latest newscharlie kirk assassination(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless

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