In a significant report, Bloomberg’s Jason Leopold has uncovered over 800 pages of emails from Kash Patel, a former official at the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), revealing how Patel might use the FBI to pursue political goals if confirmed as its next director.
Patel, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was nominated by Trump in late 2024 to lead the FBI, raising concerns about whether he would politicize the agency to settle personal or political scores. His emails, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, provide a glimpse into his actions while serving at ODNI, where he worked during Trump’s first term.
The FOIA documents show Patel, who was appointed deputy to Richard Grenell in 2019, was deeply involved in declassifying sensitive materials, including transcripts that supported Trump’s claims of a “hoax” regarding the Russia investigation. Patel’s mission at ODNI seemed focused on undermining the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, seeking to expose what he believed were politically motivated actions against Trump.
In an exclusive comment to Leopold, Patel’s emails revealed his efforts to work closely with other Trump allies, such as Attorney General William Barr, and Republican lawmakers to declassify and publicly release documents favorable to Trump. These emails show Patel’s drive to push narratives that fit his and Trump’s political agenda, including the declassification of information that could exonerate figures like Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, who was pardoned by the president after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.
In the emails, he appeared to politicize his work, collaborating with senior officials across various government agencies to bolster Trump’s messaging, especially on sensitive matters like Flynn’s Russia contacts. The documents also reveal how Patel worked on efforts to shrink the ODNI staff, aligning with Trump’s broader goal of reducing the size of the intelligence community.
But his emails weren’t just about strategy and controversy. There were also more personal aspects, such as Patel’s focus on securing loyalty from staff, reviewing resumes, and handling media inquiries. He expressed frustration with negative press coverage and sought ways to shape stories in his favor. At times, his tone was less combative, showing a more personable side as he interacted with colleagues.
Patel’s book, Government Gangsters, echoes some of the themes found in these emails, particularly his critique of government secrecy and what he sees as overclassification in the intelligence community. While Patel argues for transparency, his emails suggest a more complex agenda, where declassification efforts were closely tied to advancing a partisan narrative, furthering suspicions about how he might wield power if confirmed to lead the FBI.
While Patel’s confirmation as FBI Director remains likely, these emails and the questions they raise about his past actions and political loyalties are likely to remain a significant point of discussion in the Senate’s confirmation hearings.
Jason Leopold’s full FOIA Files investigation can be accessed here for a deeper look into the emails and the ongoing revelations surrounding Patel’s career in government.
