FBI Faces Scrutiny Over Handling of Past Investigations, Calls for Transparency Grow
Former federal official Kash Patel recently claimed that past leadership at the FBI made independent decisions that may have affected public trust in the agency, particularly during the 2016 presidential election cycle.
In an interview with Fox News, Patel stated that the FBI, under former Director James Comey, made key prosecutorial decisions without coordination from the Department of Justice or the Attorney General. “The FBI stepped outside its lane,” Patel said, referencing the bureau’s handling of an investigation involving then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State.
Comey publicly announced in July 2016 that while the investigation found evidence of mishandled classified information, no charges would be filed. The announcement came just months before the presidential election and was followed by a brief reopening of the investigation just days before the vote. Some political observers have argued that this sequence of events may have impacted the outcome of the race.
Patel also criticized what he described as selective transparency, claiming that some documents and evidence from that era were either excluded from official records or hidden. He cited the now-debunked allegations of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian actors as part of a larger effort to mislead the public.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino echoed those concerns in a separate appearance, stating that evidence from the Comey era was found in storage spaces that had not been disclosed to current leadership. “We found materials that were not processed or logged in the standard way,” Bongino explained, noting that the bureau is actively working to review and declassify relevant information.
He clarified that not all materials could be immediately released due to inter-agency protocols, particularly when documents originate from or involve other intelligence agencies. “It’s not as simple as flipping a switch,” Bongino said. “There’s a process to protect sources, methods, and national security interests.”
Although specific contents of the newly discovered materials were not disclosed, both Patel and Bongino indicated that they may offer more insight into the internal decisions made during a turbulent period for the bureau.
The issue has reignited conversations about the importance of transparency and oversight in federal law enforcement. Patel emphasized the need for the FBI to rebuild public confidence by ensuring future investigations are handled with neutrality and accountability.
While the public awaits more information about the unearthed documents, current FBI leadership has not issued an official statement regarding the claims made by Patel and Bongino.
The broader debate continues over how government agencies should balance national security, public transparency, and political neutrality—particularly when their actions intersect with high-profile political figures