A scathing 115-page report, compiled by 24 active and retired FBI agents, sent shockwaves through Washington, branding Director Kash Patel as “in over his head” and leading a “rudderless ship” plagued by fear and low morale.h

On December 1, 2025, a 115-page report compiled by 24 active-duty and retired FBI agents was obtained by the New York Post, delivering a blistering critique of FBI Director Kash Patel’s leadership, branding him “in over his head” and describing the agency as a “rudderless ship” beset by fear and plummeting morale. The report, titled “A Pulse Check of the First Six Months,” was prepared for the House and Senate Judiciary Committees and detailed Patel’s tenure from February to August 2025, accusing him of lacking the experience and bearing required for the role (web:0, web:1).

Key criticisms include Patel’s alleged misuse of resources, such as using government aircraft for personal trips and assigning a SWAT team to protect his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins (web:5, web:12). A notable anecdote describes Patel refusing to disembark an FBI jet in Provo, Utah, after the September 2025 assassination of Charlie Kirk, demanding a medium-sized FBI raid jacket with Velcro patches, delaying agents working the case (web:3, web:8). The report also faults Patel for premature public remarks, such as falsely announcing an arrest in the Kirk investigation, and for taking credit for other agencies’ work (web:2, web:14).

Agents described a “culture of mistrust and uncertainty,” with managers afraid to act without explicit direction for fear of dismissal (web:4, web:7). Patel’s deputy, Dan Bongino, was labeled “something of a clown,” and their focus on social media was criticized as unprofessional (web:6, web:9). The report notes some positives, such as Patel’s rollback of DEI initiatives and successful immigration raids, but argues these are overshadowed by leadership failures (web:6, web:11).

The White House denied rumors of Patel’s ousting, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson calling him a “critical” team member (web:10). Patel, on Fox News with Laura Ingraham, dismissed the report as “gossipy nonsense” from “Comey-Wray era” loyalists, touting record arrests (web:11, web:20). Public reaction, with 2 million X posts and 65% criticizing Patel, reflects deep concern (post:6). Claims of George Strait targeting Pam Bondi are unverified and unrelated (usamode24.com, November 21, 2025).