U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro speaks during a press conference with FBI Director Kash Patel and other authorities about the shooting of two National Guard members on November 26, in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard. Displayed on the right pictures of two National Guard members who were shot, along with a picture of the Afghan suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

When Christopher A. Wray, a traditional Republican conservative who got along with the Biden Administration, announced his resignation as FBI director in late 2024, Donald Trump was determined to appoint an ultra-MAGA replacement. And he found it in now-FBI Director Kash Patel, a far-right conspiracy theorist and Trump loyalist

But Patel is far from universally loved among FBI alumni, and a 115-page report — according to the Trump-friendly, Rupert Murdoch-owned New York Post — offers a biting critique of his months leading the agency. The report describes the FBI as a "rudderless ship" under Patel's direction.

Patel, in the report, is described as "in over his head," and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is described as "something of a clown."

According to the Post's Miranda Devine, "Patel is described by multiple internal sources as inexperienced, with one source saying he 'has neither the breadth of experience nor the bearing an FBI director needs to be successful.' Another source, a self-professed Trump supporter, said Patel is 'not very good,' 'may be insecure,' and 'lacks the requisite experience' or the 'measured self-confidence' to be FBI director. However, an additional source described him as 'very personable and likable' while noting he 'created a culture of mistrust and uncertainty among the ranks.'"

The report is drawing a lot of reactions on X, formerly Twitter.

Chuck Todd, former host of NBC News' "Meet the Press" — which goes back to 1947 — tweeted, "Not a good sign for the FBI bros that this story showed up in Trump's favorite newspaper."

Mach Realty's David Mach told Todd, "Or Trump fed the post that story so he can then fuher…I mean further justify the firing of both."

KrassenCast's Brian Krassenstein posted, "A massive 155-page report on the FBI, leaked to the NY Post finds that the FBI Under Kash Patel is a 'rudderless ship' and 'll f––d up.' It also covers this embarrassing story about @Kash_Patel: The day after Kirk was assassinated, Patel flew into Provo, Utah, on the FBI jet but 'would not disembark from the plane without an FBI raid jacket,' according to ALPHA 99, a 'highly respected' source who has served in the FBI for multiple decades."

X user Henry Hamblin wrote, "This is really intense, Miranda. The inclusion of the 'medium' raid vest that he demanded (and it was a woman agents!) before getting off the plane in Utah, I'm guessing h'’s been targeted for dismissal."

Another X user, Mike B., commented, "Dan Bongino is 'something of a clown.' This statement is definitely true."

Business owner Ashley Kenyon posted, "And somehow they don't say same about Pam Bondi? I think Bongino isn't the issue at Deputy director he doesn't choose how to run the FBI. Patel is the issue. He talked big on all the podcasts for years but isn't doing anything he said he would. I think also there is significant leftovers of known bad actor FBI agents who they can't seem to fire."