Leaked 115‑Page Assessment: FBI 'Paralyzed by Fear' Under Director Kash Patel

A leaked 115-page assessment compiled by a national alliance of current and former FBI special agents and analysts portrays FBI Director Kash Patel as ill-equipped to lead a bureau suffering from low morale and internal fear. Based on confidential accounts from 24 sources, the document warns that managers increasingly wait for explicit direction rather than take initiative, creating what contributors describe as a "rudderless ship."

Key findings

The report says Patel’s first six months produced a "troubling picture" of a chronically underperforming organization. Multiple sources told the authors the director appears to be "in over his head" and "lacks the requisite knowledge or deep understanding of the FBI’s unique and complex investigative and intelligence programs." One of the report’s central claims is that the bureau has become "internally paralyzed by fear," with managers "afraid of losing their jobs" and reluctant to act without direct orders.

Incidents cited

Contributors recount several incidents they say illustrate the problem, including:

• An episode after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in which agents allegedly delayed investigative work to secure a raid jacket for the director and accommodate his demands over patches.
• An order to administer polygraph examinations to personnel after internal discussion about the director’s request for an FBI firearm, which one senior leader called "needlessly punitive."
• Allegations that Patel assigned SWAT teams to protect a romantic partner and used government aircraft for personal travel.

Leadership style and priorities

Sources describe an unusual reliance on public social media posts by leadership to set priorities, with staff reporting they heard more about bureau direction from tweets and public statements than from internal channels. Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who lacks a traditional FBI career background and was reportedly exempted from standard polygraph screening via a director-authorized waiver, is a frequent target of criticism in the document.

Mixed reactions

Not all feedback was negative. Several contributors praised the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and commended tougher immigration enforcement and improved prosecutorial coordination in some areas. Some sources supported dismissing executives they associate with past politicization, while cautioning that enacted reforms "have not gone deep enough."

International concerns

The assessment also records worries among allied law enforcement and intelligence partners. According to sources cited in the report, some allied agencies fear the current leadership and policy directions may cause long-term damage to international cooperation.

Authors and response

The document’s anonymous authors said they requested confidentiality to protect their positions and described the assessment as an attempt to inform congressional oversight rather than a political "hit piece." White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s appointments and described Patel as "working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI." Congressional judiciary committees are expected to receive copies of the report this week.

What to watch next

Oversight hearings or inquiries by the named congressional committees could follow, and the bureau’s internal morale and external cooperation with partners will be areas to monitor. The assessment urges Patel and Bongino to take the criticisms seriously and to restore clear, accountable leadership within the FBI.