A Department of Justice Inspector General report has revealed that the FBI targeted Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, during his time as a congressional investigator. Patel was reportedly surveilled as part of a broader effort by the FBI to gather records on congressional staffers, journalists, and members of Congress between 2017 and 2018.
Patel, who played a central role in the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation into the FBI’s handling of the Crossfire Hurricane probe, is now at the center of renewed scrutiny of FBI practices. His investigation exposed the FBI’s reliance on the Steele Dossier, a discredited document, to obtain surveillance warrants against Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.
Rep. Kat Cammack responds to the DOJ report that the FBI spied on Kash Patel:
“You F around, you’re gonna find out. Those political swamp creatures at the FBI are about to find out because Kash Patel is about to be the big man in charge and he is going to clean house..” pic.twitter.com/NK1qnLTktR
— Trumpusa1 (@Trumpusa1A1) December 15, 2024
Sources confirmed to The New York Post and CNN that Patel was among those surveilled. The report noted that the DOJ used a “compulsory process” to access records, raising questions about overreach. Patel’s investigative work had been critical of both the FBI and DOJ, making his inclusion among those monitored particularly controversial.
The Inspector General found no direct evidence of political motivation but acknowledged that the FBI’s actions created “the appearance of inappropriate interference” by the executive branch. Critics argue that targeting congressional investigators undermines the oversight role they are tasked with performing.
FBI spied on Kash Patel because he was uncovering their 'malfeasance' in the Russia collusion hoax, Miranda Devine https://t.co/Kmx3vo2CXI
Still are spying on him and all of them.
— Granny Clampet (@JanisSillivan) December 18, 2024
Patel, a vocal advocate for reforming federal law enforcement, has vowed to overhaul the FBI if confirmed as its director. His spokeswoman said the report demonstrated why Patel is the ideal choice to lead the agency, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and transparency.
This revelation has intensified scrutiny of FBI practices and led to renewed calls for reforms. Supporters argue Patel’s experiences as both a target and an investigator uniquely qualify him to address the issues within the agency he has been nominated to lead.
