WASHINGTON — Hours after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel declared online that "the subject" in the killing was in custody. The shooter was not, and two detained men were quickly released. Utah officials acknowledged the gunman remained at large.

The false assurance spotlighted the uncertainty surrounding Patel's leadership of the bureau when its credibility is under extraordinary pressure, as is his own.

Patel now approaches congressional oversight hearings this week, facing questions about that investigation and broader doubts about whether he can stabilize a federal law enforcement agency fragmented by political fights and internal upheaval.

Democrats are poised to press Patel on a purge of senior officials that prompted a lawsuit,

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