By Charles Switzer
3:52am PDT, May 9, 2025
Patel Distances Himself from Trump’s Proposed FBI Budget
During a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, May 7, FBI Director Kash Patel found himself at the center of a tense discussion regarding the proposed budget for his agency.
Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro, the ranking member on the Appropriations Committee, questioned Patel about the proposed cuts and the agency’s future funding needs.
What the FBI Director said left many analysts and commentators surprised in its defiance of second-term Donald Trump doctrine.
Read on to find out what Patel said and how it was received.
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DeLauro Questions Patel About Budget Clarity
Rosa DeLauro raised concerns about the clarity and direction of the FBI’s budget, asking Kash Patel to clarify his agency’s stance: “This is your budget. You have to have some idea of what you want to fund or not fund or where you think you can cut or not cut and provide that information to OMB. I’m unclear, and it seems to me that you are, as to what should be the budget of this agency,” she said, pushing Patel to specify how he would approach the proposed $500 million cut.
She followed up by asking, “And if it’s, you know, half billion dollars lower, what are the positions that you believe will have to be cut in order to reach the mandate that you are bringing forward to us in terms of your budget?”
Patel Clarifies His Position on the Budget
Kash Patel responded to Rosa DeLauro’s questions, clarifying his position on the budget and distancing himself from the proposal linked to the Donald Trump administration.
“Well, that’s exactly what I’m saying: That’s the proposed budget — not by the FBI. The proposed budget that I put forward is to cover us for $11.1 billion, which would not have us cut any positions,” he said.
DeLauro interrupted with further probing, seeking more clarification on whether the proposed cuts were something Patel could support: “So the skinny budget is wrong?” she asked.
Patel Stresses the Need for Additional Funds
Kash Patel continued, making it clear that the proposed budget is not something he fully endorses: “The skinny budget is a proposal, and I’m working through the appropriations process to explain why we need more than what has been proposed,” he said, underscoring his efforts to secure additional funding for the agency and highlighting his differences with the proposed budget.
Patel’s distancing from the proposed budget is significant given the Donald Trump administration’s long-standing criticisms of the FBI: During his first term in office (2017 to 2021), President Trump frequently accused the agency’s leadership of using its powers against him, fueling the perception that he would push for reductions in the FBI’s funding and operations during a potential second term.
Patel’s response to the budget proposal seems aimed at countering those expectations, making clear that the FBI needs more resources to continue its work without sacrificing staff or effectiveness.
Public Perception
The exchange between Kash Patel and Rosa DeLauro garnered attention on social media, with many users weighing in on the debate over the FBI’s budget and Patel’s role in the process.
Critics of the Trump administration noted the irony in Patel distancing himself from budget proposals that came from his former boss, while others expressed concern over “potential reductions in funding for an agency already under scrutiny,” as one X commenter framed the situation.
Patel’s comments seem to signal a shift in the FBI’s leadership stance as the agency continues to navigate its relationship with both Congress and the executive branch. As the appropriations process unfolds, it remains to be seen how the FBI will reconcile its needs with the political realities of its funding decisions.
