Just yesterday, he was calling for an extra billion. Today, he says he’ll make do with less. That’s the unexpected shift from FBI Director Kash Patel, who went from defending a funding increase to supporting White House-driven budget cuts in less than 24 hours. His turnaround comes as the administration pushes to slash federal spending by $163 billion.
What happened?
During a congressional hearing, Patel warned that the proposed cuts could seriously undermine the FBI’s ability to combat terrorism, violent crime, and cyber threats. He stressed that going back to 2011 funding levels was unrealistic, and the bureau needed at least $11.1 billion to maintain operations without layoffs.
But a day later, he struck a different tone: “We’ll accept the budget, adjust our priorities, and handle it.” The sudden shift sparked confusion on Capitol Hill.
Congress Left Guessing: No Plan in Sight
Several lawmakers were visibly taken aback. Senator Patty Murray criticized the FBI for its lack of transparency, noting that the agency had failed to provide any clear roadmap for how it would operate under tighter finances.
Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican, warned that the cuts might lead to unfilled or eliminated positions — directly affecting the bureau’s national security capabilities.
Political Whiplash
What’s especially surprising is that Patel recently urged lawmakers to ignore Trump’s proposal to cut FBI funding, calling it inadequate. Now, he’s in alignment with a scaled-down budget. During the hearing, Rep. Rosa DeLauro pressed Patel to specify which jobs would be lost and reminded him that the budget was created by the bureau itself, not imposed from outside.
So, What’s Actually Being Cut?
No one knows. The White House’s proposal references “redundant operations,” outdated projects, and diversity programs — but provides no concrete breakdown of which specific roles or departments at the FBI are on the chopping block.
That ambiguity is what frustrates lawmakers the most. Without clear details, it’s impossible to know whether the FBI is protecting its critical functions or simply cutting blindly.
🟦 What Comes Next?
Whether Patel’s change of heart stems from genuine conviction or political necessity is unclear. But one thing’s certain — the FBI now faces tense budget negotiations, and lawmakers are demanding straight answers.
#whitehouse , #USPolitics , #FBI , #USGovernment , #worldnews
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