A Department of Justice Inspector General report has revealed that Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI director, was surveilled by the FBI while serving as a congressional investigator. Patel was reportedly targeted through a process used to gather records on congressional staffers, journalists, and lawmakers between 2017 and 2018.
At the time, Patel was investigating the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane probe, which relied on the now-discredited Steele Dossier to justify surveillance warrants on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Patel’s work on the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee was critical of the FBI’s actions, making the revelation of his inclusion among surveillance targets particularly significant.
Rep. Kat Cammack responds to the DOJ report that the FBI spied on Kash Patel:
“You F around, you’re gonna find out. Those political swamp creatures at the FBI are about to find out because Kash Patel is about to be the big man in charge and he is going to clean house..” pic.twitter.com/NK1qnLTktR
— Trumpusa1 (@Trumpusa1A1) December 15, 2024
Sources cited by The New York Post and CNN confirmed Patel was among those monitored. The Inspector General’s report, while finding no evidence of political bias, noted that the surveillance created “the appearance of inappropriate interference” by the executive branch in congressional oversight efforts.
Patel, who has been a vocal advocate for FBI reform, has pledged to address issues within the agency if confirmed as its director. His spokeswoman called the findings evidence of why Patel is well-suited to lead reforms and restore trust in federal law enforcement.
FBI spied on Kash Patel because he was uncovering their 'malfeasance' in the Russia collusion hoax, Miranda Devine https://t.co/Kmx3vo2CXI
Still are spying on him and all of them.
— Granny Clampet (@JanisSillivan) December 18, 2024
The report also revealed that records were sought from both Democratic and Republican staffers, as well as members of Congress and reporters. Critics argue the FBI’s actions undermined the independence of investigators tasked with holding the executive branch accountable.
Supporters of Patel say his firsthand experience with federal overreach underscores the need for structural reforms at the FBI. They believe his leadership could bring much-needed accountability and transparency to the agency.
