Indian-origin FBI director Kash Patel is wasting time in pubs and clubs, but why are people happy about it

When Kash Patel stepped into the role of FBI Director, it set off a wave of reactions in Washington. Critics warned that his deep political connections and limited law enforcement background could change how the FBI has traditionally operated. But as the weeks have passed, Patel hasn’t turned the FBI upside down– he’s barely shown up at all. And that unexpected silence from the top is becoming the story.

Instead of aggressive reforms or headline-grabbing directives, what’s making waves is Patel’s absence, both from the agency’s headquarters and from its core operations. For a position that typically demands full-time, on-site leadership, reports suggest the director is spending more time in Las Vegas nightclubs than on the seventh floor of the Hoover Building.

A director missing in action?

The concern now isn’t about what Patel might do– it's about the fact that he’s seemingly doing very little. According to Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI counter-intelligence official, Patel is rarely seen at FBI headquarters.

“Yeah, well, reportedly, he’s been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building,” Figliuzzi said on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “And there are reports that daily briefings to him have been changed from every day to maybe twice weekly.”

This scaled-back approach has raised eyebrows, especially given the traditionally hands-on nature of the FBI’s top job. The briefings, once a daily fixture, now reportedly happen just a couple of times a week.

Inside the bureau
Patel’s leadership style– or lack thereof– is reportedly taking a toll inside the FBI. While there’s no official confirmation from the Bureau, accounts from insiders and former officials suggest growing confusion over who’s actually making key decisions.


“People don't know what's happening from day to day,” said Figliuzzi. “There's also been reporting, I believe, from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, that Patel spent a lot of his time at his home in Las Vegas– he's been sort of working remotely for at least part of the week.” His preference for operating from his Las Vegas residence instead of Washington is adding to the perception that the Bureau is running without steady oversight.

Relief or risk?
Interestingly, Patel’s distance from core operations has sparked mixed reactions. While some worry about a leadership vacuum, others are quietly relieved that he isn’t more involved, especially given his lack of background in federal law enforcement.

“So this is both a blessing and a curse, because if you, if he's, really trying to run things without his experience, without any experience level, things could be bad,” Figliuzzi noted. “If he's not plugged in, things could be bad. But he's allowing agents to run things, so we don't know where this is going.”

Travel troubles and use of FBI jets


Beyond questions of engagement, Patel is also facing scrutiny over his travel. Several Senate Democrats are now pushing for an investigation into his reported use of FBI aircraft for personal reasons. These include trips to visit his girlfriend and attend hockey games– all allegedly on the Bureau’s private fleet of jets. The U.S. Government Accountability Office could step in to examine the costs, destinations, and legitimacy of those flights if a formal probe is initiated.