FBI's Far-Right Investigations at a Standstill Under Kash Patel, Experts Warn
Patel Signals Lack of Interest in Pursuing Insurrectionists Amid Rising Extremism
With Kash Patel officially taking charge as the new FBI director and Dan Bongino serving as his deputy, experts warn that federal law enforcement’s efforts to investigate far-right extremism are now in jeopardy.
Patel’s leadership coincides with a resurgence of The Base, an accelerationist neo-Nazi organization classified as a terrorist group in multiple countries, along with other extremist factions linked to the January 6 Capitol attack. However, Patel—known for promoting QAnon conspiracy theories and writing a children’s book portraying Donald Trump as a king—has signaled a lack of interest in targeting insurrectionists and far-right extremists.
Instead, he has shifted focus onto Black Lives Matter activists, antifascist groups, the media, and even his own FBI agents who might challenge his agenda.
“There will be accountability within the FBI,” Patel declared in his first speech as director, warning journalists in attendance. “I know the media’s here, and if you’re looking for a target, it’s right here.”
Bongino, a former NYPD officer and Secret Service agent who served under both Barack Obama and George W. Bush, is a major conservative media figure. Through his influential podcast, he spreads election denialism, January 6 narratives, and rhetoric against immigrants, frequently referring to Democrats as “communists” and enemies.
Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, believes the new FBI leadership will significantly downplay the dangers posed by the far right. “Given Patel’s history with QAnon and Bongino’s bigotry, it’s highly unlikely they will take the threat of hate crimes and domestic terrorism seriously,” she said.
Both Patel and Bongino are viewed by some as Trump loyalists, with Patel refusing to rule out using the FBI to target the former president’s political opponents. One of Patel’s first moves as director was the reassignment of 1,500 agents from FBI headquarters in Washington, DC—many of whom were working on counterterrorism and national security investigations—reflecting his belief that the “deep state” operates from within the agency.
Beirich emphasized that Patel’s approach marks a dramatic shift from Trump’s first term, during which the FBI acknowledged white supremacy as the country’s greatest domestic terrorist threat. “This time around, facts about violence and its perpetrators may not matter at all,” she warned.
The political climate in Washington has already changed significantly. In January, the Trump administration demanded a list of 6,000 FBI agents involved in January 6 investigations—a request initially refused by acting directors but ultimately granted in February. What Patel intends to do with that information remains unclear.
“The retaliation against FBI personnel who worked on January 6 cases has already had a chilling effect on efforts to combat far-right extremism,” Beirich added. “The treatment of these investigators sends a clear message about the FBI’s new priorities, which likely won’t include countering far-right terrorism.”
Matthew Kriner, executive director of the Institute for Countering Digital Extremism, shares similar concerns. “The politicization of FBI investigations will discourage efforts to track and prosecute violent far-right activity,” Kriner said, noting the impact of Trump’s mass pardons for January 6 rioters. “With fewer bureau resources dedicated to domestic extremism cases, the remaining agents will have limited capacity to address far-right threats.”
Far-right extremists have already recognized the opportunity presented by Patel’s leadership. The Base, which has expanded its influence both in the U.S. and internationally, is capitalizing on reduced law enforcement scrutiny. Recent arrests in the Netherlands, Italy, and the UK—including the detention of a 15-year-old suspected Base member in Northumberland—underscore the group’s global reach.
British counterterrorism authorities confirmed the arrest, with a spokesperson stating, “An arrest has been made of a male in the North of England by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, and inquiries are ongoing.”
In the U.S., The Base has been actively recruiting and disseminating propaganda, with evidence suggesting a new leader is conducting paramilitary training for members. Other extremist groups within the accelerationist movement have also welcomed Patel’s appointment, seeing it as a chance to grow unchecked.
“History has shown that far-right militant networks thrive when federal oversight weakens,” Kriner said. “With fewer FBI investigations, we are likely to see increased violence from individuals and groups that embrace neofascist terrorism.”
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