Kash Patel, Bongino Criticized for Being Deep State ‘Hostages’

Allies of President Donald Trump are growing frustrated with the leadership of FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, accusing them of failing to follow through on key investigative promises.

On Wednesday, the conservative group Judicial Watch issued a harsh public statement criticizing both Patel and Bongino.

The organization, known for its strong alignment with Trump, said the pair have not provided needed transparency or launched meaningful probes during their tenure.

The group’s criticism specifically targeted the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Many conservatives had anticipated the agency would release explosive new evidence tying prominent figures to the deceased sex offender, but that has not happened.

Micah Morrison of Judicial Watch suggested that Patel and Bongino have effectively become “hostages” to entrenched Washington forces, as Politico reported.

He cited the agency’s slow progress and absence of new revelations in the Epstein case as examples of failure.

Judicial Watch, led by longtime Trump ally Tom Fitton, has frequently challenged the federal government. The group has filed lawsuits on various topics, including Hillary Clinton’s emails and Hunter Biden’s laptop, often with Trump’s support.

Patel and Bongino began facing criticism last month after an appearance on Fox News, where they stated clearly that Epstein had died by suicide. This contradicted earlier claims they had made before taking office, in which they hinted at foul play.

“People can believe what they want,” said Patel during the interview. “But this was a suicide. That’s just what it is.” Bongino echoed this sentiment, confirming he had reviewed all relevant material and was confident in that conclusion.

This stance disappointed many right-wing activists who had long insisted Epstein was murdered to protect powerful individuals. It also caused a rift with figures in the online conservative community who had counted on a deeper investigation.

Patel addressed the controversy during an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan. He defended the bureau’s work and denied any efforts to conceal Epstein-related information. He also blamed years of misinformation for shaping unrealistic expectations.

The FBI declined to comment on the criticism from Judicial Watch when contacted this week.

The suicide determination and lack of new revelations added to frustrations following the release of Epstein files earlier this year. In February, the Justice Department handed over what it called “Phase 1” of the files to conservative influencers at a White House event.

However, the files included few significant findings. The contents largely disappointed those who had expected a major exposé of high-profile individuals connected to Epstein.

Attorney General Pam Bondi responded by suggesting the FBI had withheld significant portions of the material. She claimed thousands of pages remained unreleased.

Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit in April against the Justice Department in an effort to obtain the full set of Epstein documents.

In its most recent statement, the group also criticized Patel personally, accusing him of being distracted by a “jet-setting lifestyle” and neglecting his responsibilities at the bureau.

Bongino, meanwhile, gave an emotional interview in May describing the personal toll of his FBI role. He said he was separated from his wife and felt isolated while working in Washington.

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