Kash Patel Rolls Through The Year Dodging Flak

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – As 2025 draws to a close, it seems that not everyone in President Donald Trump’s inner circle is ending the year on firm footing.

FBI Director Kash Patel’s, term in office so far has been marked by controversy, questions of judgment, and there has been mounting political pressure.

As the year ends, Patel’s report card: He has survived politically and kept the president’s confidence, but he has struggled to establish the steady, disciplined leadership style typically associated with the FBI’s top job.

On paper, Patel entered the job with clear expectations. He was tasked with reshaping an agency long criticized by Trump and his allies, restoring trust among conservatives, and projecting toughness in moments of national crisis, The Hill noted. One year in, the results are mixed at best.

Patel’s biggest problem has been perception. Critics argue that he has blurred the line between the role of a federal law enforcement chief and that of a public personality. His use of social media during active investigations has repeatedly drawn scrutiny, particularly after two high profile cases where early announcements proved premature.

In the manhunt following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Patel publicized an arrest that later unraveled. A similar pattern followed the deadly shooting at Brown University, where Patel identified a suspect online who was soon released.

Those missteps returned to haunt him when the Brown case took another turn. As the search continued, a previously recorded podcast interview featuring Patel and his girlfriend, singer Alexis Wilkins, surfaced online, pointed out The Hill. While aides emphasized the episode had been taped earlier, the timing raised eyebrows. When Wilkins later posted photos of the couple attending the White House Christmas party, critics questioned whether the FBI director was projecting the seriousness expected of his office while a suspected shooter was still at large.

Ethics questions have compounded those concerns. Representative Jamie Raskin, who leads Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, has opened an inquiry into Patel’s use of an FBI jet, following reports that it was used for personal travel.

A separate report by MS Now has revealed that Patel had secured a specially armored BMW X5 for his use, departing from the bureau’s traditional security vehicles.

Trump, for his part, has stood by Patel. That public backing has helped Patel survive a turbulent year, but it has not silenced questions about longevity, noted The Hill.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino plans to leave in the new year. His departure, combined with the appointment of former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey as a co-deputy director, has fueled speculation that leadership changes may not be finished.