FBI Director Patel Denies Reports Of Seeking Direct Line To Trump
FBI Director Kash Patel is rejecting claims that he attempted to bypass Attorney General Pam Bondi to secure a direct line to President Donald Trump. Reports surfaced alleging that Patel requested a secure connection from both his home and office straight to the Oval Office, a move that would sidestep the standard chain of command.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Patel’s request was one of his first actions after assuming leadership of the FBI. Traditionally, the FBI director reports to the attorney general, maintaining a degree of separation from direct White House influence. Patel’s alleged attempt to change that structure has raised questions about his approach to leading the agency.
FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson quickly dismissed the report, calling it “BS” in a statement on X. Others close to Patel have argued that the accusations are part of an effort to undermine his leadership as he works to reform the FBI.
Patel has also reportedly inquired about hiring a private security team separate from the FBI agents assigned to protect him. Sources familiar with the matter suggest that this request stems from concerns over internal loyalty, though Patel’s office has not publicly addressed the claim.
While Patel’s tenure at the FBI has only just begun, his leadership has already sparked debate. Before taking the role, he was a vocal defender of Trump and played a key role in pushing back against what he called politically motivated investigations within the bureau.
