Days after backtracking on low budget for FBI remarks, Kash Patel chairs meet with police chiefs

Just days after retracting his name for a $1 billion increase to the FBI’s budget, Director Kash Patel chaired a gathering with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, searching for to strengthen the Bureau’s ties with native regulation enforcement. “Starting off Police Week by spending time with the International Association of Chiefs of Police,” Patel wrote on X. “We discussed how to strengthen our partnership and how the FBI can better serve them... This FBI will always Back the Blue.”The timing of the outreach comes amid intense scrutiny of Patel’s management and a turbulent week in Washington. In testimony earlier than a House committee, Patel warned that the White House’s proposed budget reducing FBI funding by 5 per cent would power him to remove 1,100 vacancies and probably lay off 1,300 extra employees. Yet only a day later, earlier than a Senate panel, he reversed course, saying the Bureau would “make and agree with this budget as it stands.”The abrupt turnaround fuelled hypothesis about Patel’s independence, particularly given his shut ties to President Donald Trump. Some learn the preliminary budget plea as a bid to sign distance from the administration, however his fast backpedal muddied that interpretation.Meanwhile, Patel faces rising controversy on a number of fronts. Former officers and media reviews have accused him of being disengaged, claiming he spends extra time in nightclubs and sporting occasions than at FBI headquarters. NBC News reported that day by day 8:30 am director briefings have been lower to twice every week. An FBI spokesperson dismissed these claims, insisting Patel attends 5 conferences weekly, together with smaller classes not open to all employees.Allegations have additionally surfaced about misuse of FBI plane for private journey and lowered subject workplace engagement. Senate Democrats at the moment are demanding an investigation into his jet utilization, following reviews that he used Bureau plane to go to his girlfriend.Ethics issues have intensified after it was revealed Patel holds as much as £4 million in shares in Elite Depot, mum or dad firm of fast-fashion large Shein. Despite its China ties and allegations of compelled labour denied by Shein the FBI has allowed Patel to retain the stake, saying it poses no battle with his present duties.