FBI Director Kash Patel is under fire after a series of controversies following the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Perceived federal mismanagement and public gaffes have tarnished the investigation led by Patel, raising questions about his leadership during this critical time, as the Daily Mail reports

Kirk was tragically murdered at Utah Valley University, triggering a high-stakes manhunt and investigation by the FBI.

That evening, however, Patel was spotted dining at the upscale Rao’s in New York City, drawing criticism for what appeared to be a dismissive approach to the unfolding crisis.

Controversial posts, premature detentions

On the platform X, Patel prematurely announced the detention and subsequent release of a suspect, George Zinn, a 71-year-old detained at the crime scene. This blunder caused confusion and further scrutiny of Patel’s handling of the situation.

Further complicating the investigation, another suspect, Jason Christopher Hartley, was questioned and released by federal agents, calling into question the effectiveness of the FBI’s efforts under Patel’s guidance.

Patel attempted to reassure the public on X, saying, “Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in the interest of transparency.” However, this did little to quell the growing dissatisfaction.

Political undercurrents, operational mishaps

An unrelated lawsuit previously highlighted concerning directives allegedly given by Patel that suggested political motivations influencing his leadership decisions, adding layers of controversy to his role as FBI director.

In Utah, when Gov. Spencer Cox presented video footage at a briefing, Patel’s reported lack of engagement was conspicuous, leading to further public and media disappointment regarding his involvement.

The promises of transparency were said by some to conflict with reality, as Sen. Dick Durbin criticized Patel’s approach on HuffPost, stating, “It was amateur hour. He was doing a running commentary... Historically, the FBI keeps its mouth closed until it believes it's the right time and the right message.”

Public, political reactions pour in

Amid these challenges, Patel held a heated conference call with his FBI team, critiquing their communication and response times.

This revealed internal tensions and dissatisfaction with the investigation’s progress.

The aftermath saw Tyler Robinson arrested concerning the murder, following a tip-off from his family -- a development noted without direct attribution to Patel’s direct efforts.

Throughout, social media and various government officials continued to express their dismay with Patel’s performance, stressing the perceived lack of competence and communication skills necessary for his role.

Chris Rufo lamented on X about Patel’s recent performance, doubting his “operational expertise to investigate, infiltrate, and disrupt violent movements,” reflecting a broader sentiment about Patel’s capabilities.

Strategic failures, leadership questions

Steve Bannon, reflecting on Patel’s actions, told The Hill, “I don't know why Kash flew out there, you know, thousands of miles, to give us, ‘Hey, working partnerships and our great partnership in Utah’ -- OK, got that. He flew all the way there and didn't say a word. I don't get it! Something else is going on!” This statement underscored confusion and skepticism surrounding Patel’s physical presence at the briefing versus his lack of participation.

Behind the scenes, Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, admitted to feeling immense pressure to validate their leadership amid the crisis, a sentiment that perhaps colored their actions during the investigation.

As scrutiny continues to mount, the FBI has attempted to portray a facade of cooperation and diligence. A statement provided to NBC highlighted their commitment to working with Utah authorities to “bring to justice the individual allegedly responsible for the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk” and maintaining transparency with ongoing updates. However, the effectiveness and sincerity of these efforts remain heavily debated amid the ongoing fallout.