FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly dismissed speculation that he is considering stepping down from his post in the Trump administration, following reports of escalating tensions within the Justice Department over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
In a post on X, Patel reacted to the rumors, stating: “The conspiracy theories just aren’t true, never have been. It’s an honor to serve the President of the United States @realDonaldTrump — and I’ll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me.”
His reaction came after a Daily Wire report claimed Patel was frustrated with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of key documents related to the Epstein case and was allegedly ready to resign if his deputy, Dan Bongino, were to leave the administration.
“Source close to DOJ says Kash Patel also wants Pam Bondi gone, and that he’d consider leaving if Bongino leaves,” journalist Mary Margaret Olohan posted on X.
Laura Loomer, right-wing commentator and aide to Donald Trump, also alleged ongoing tensions between the FBI and the DOJ regarding the handling of the Epstein files.
According to reports, tensions erupted within the Trump administration earlier this week. Bondi and Bongino reportedly clashed during a meeting at the White House, with Fox News reporting that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles also became involved in a heated exchange with FBI officials.
Tensions appear to have escalated following a contentious two-page statement jointly released Monday by the DOJ and FBI, which concluded that Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain a so-called “client list.”
This contradicted Bondi’s earlier public suggestion in February that such a document existed and was in her possession. The DOJ also released a video aimed at confirming Epstein’s death as a suicide, but a missing minute in the footage only added fuel to conspiracy theories.
Todd Blanche, a senior DOJ official, addressed the controversy directly, writing on X: “All of us signed off on the contents of the memo and the conclusions stated in the memo. The suggestion by anyone that there was any daylight between the FBI and DOJ leadership on this memo’s composition and release is patently false.”
The White House also downplayed the reported internal rift. “President Trump has assembled a highly qualified and experienced law and order team dedicated to protecting Americans, holding criminals accountable, and delivering justice to victims,” said spokesman Harrison Fields.
“This work is being carried out seamlessly and with unity. Any attempt to sow division within this team is baseless and distracts from the real progress being made in restoring public safety and pursuing justice for all.”
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