In his first series of public comments as Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, newly sworn-in FBI Director Kash Patel vowed major reforms and “accountability” within the bureau, challenging the media and indicating that his efforts to clean out the now-derided agency would be sweeping in scope and serious in effort.
As background, Patel was confirmed as FBI Director by the United States Senate in a very narrow, 51-49 vote on Thursday, February 20. His comments on what he will be doing with his new power came on Friday, February 21. During those comments, Patel also said his reforms would be effected as early as “this weekend.”
Speaking during that press event, Patel challenged the media, saying, “I know the media is in here, and if you have a target, that target is right here. It is not the men and women at the FBI. And everything you possibly can [say] about me that’s fake, malicious, slanderous, and defamatory, keep it coming, bring it on, but leave the men and women of the FBI out of it.”
He then said that the two-tier system of justice that has seen leftists like the BLM and Antifa rioters of 2020 let off the hook while conservatives, such as those who pray and protest outside abortion clinics, face the full force of the weaponized law, is over. He said, “For those of you who think that there’s going to be a two-tier system of justice, not with Attorney General Bondi, there’s a singular system of justice for all Americans.”
Patel later added, on that same point, “We will uphold the Constitution. We will uphold ourselves to the Constitution. The men and women at the FBI — I have your back because you have the backs of the American people. You will be held to the same high standard. Any deviation from that standard will not be tolerated at this Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Additionally, Patel said that the FBI would be reformed into an organization that Americans can be proud of, saying, “American people deserve an FBI that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice. Working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Bureau and our partners, we will rebuild an FBI the American people can be proud of.”
Vowing that the FBI would see accountability and that it would happen as soon as this weekend, Patel also said, during a part of the speech in which he thanked those who confirmed him, “I promise you the following: There will be accountability within the FBI and outside the FBI, and we will do it with rigorous Constitutional oversight starting this weekend.” Watch him here:
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Earlier in his speech, Patel had vowed to work alongside AG Bondi, saying, “First and foremost, we were just with President Trump and I want to thank him. I know he is not here in the room right now, but what a ride we have been on, what a courageous warrior and leader he has been. And the faith and trust he put on me to lead the FBI is the greatest honor I will ever have in my life. And to General Bondi, that sounds pretty freaking cool. Pam, you are my sister, my mentor, my friend, my boss, and the confidence you have placed in me — I would never violate that trust. The men and women of the FBI under your leadership through one standard, the Constitution. So thank you for trusting me.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video