'He laughed it off': FBI Chief Kash Patel rejects report claiming Trump will fire him

FBI Chief Kash Patel dismissed reports of US President Donald Trump planning to fire him, saying that the president “laughed it off”.

“Trump laughed, and he said: ‘What are they talking about? Kash is doing a great job. Kash, you want to take a photo in front of the Declaration of Independence and tell them how good of a job you’re doing?" Patel said as he recalled his private conversation with Trump.

A report by MS Now said that Trump and his top aides discussed replacing Patel with Andrew Bailey, a senior FBI official. While Patel’s position appears increasingly precarious, the final decision could still change in the coming weeks, depending on Trump’s evaluation of the situation, the report claimed earlier this week.

In general, Patel has come under fire for his handling of bureau resources, including the use of a government jet and a security detail for his girlfriend. Additionally, his ongoing tensions with other Trump loyalists have reportedly raised concerns within the administration.

The White House had already pushed back against the reporting, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson calling it “completely made up.” Jackson emphasised Patel’s importance to the administration, stating, “FBI Director Patel is a critical member of the President’s team and he is working tirelessly to restore integrity to the FBI.”

Patel is reportedly facing growing internal friction within the administration. US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have expressed frustration over Patel’s premature social media posts, which sometimes jeopardised investigations, the report further said.