Beleaguered FBI Director Kash Patel found himself in friendly Fox News territory on Monday, being lavished with praise by host Sean Hannity. (Watch the video below.)
“Obviously, you’re doing an incredible job,” Hannity gushed.
The two reviewed some high-profile arrests of note, including terror suspect Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi. Patel had called it a “righteous mission executed brilliantly by our agents.” But a recent report accused the director of padding the bureau’s arrest stats overall.
Hannity steered clear of embarrassing allegations about Patel’s heavy drinking; a VIP snorkeling expedition at Pearl Harbor that spurred more questions about him pursuing leisure on taxpayers’ dime; his alleged “weaponizing” of the FBI against agents who investigated Jan. 6 rioters and President Donald Trump; and a perceived retaliatory probe of a New York Times reporter who wrote a story accusing Patel of using bureau resources to provide travel and protection for his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.
Patel was on Hannity’s show last month to be served up a “this doesn’t sound like you” from the host as Patel defended himself against the Times’ allegations. (He’s also suing The Atlantic for its article that focused on his alleged alcohol consumption and erratic behavior.)
An unnamed White House official told Politico last month that Trump is growing weary of the distracting headlines about Patel. “It’s only a matter of time” before the director is shown the door, the source said.