Overview
- FBI public affairs official Ben Williamson said claims that Director Kash Patel shut down a foreign-intelligence probe are false and that investigators have been instructed to pursue every lead.
- The New York Times reported that NCTC Director Joe Kent accessed FBI files to look for foreign or network ties, which senior FBI officials saw as overstepping and potentially complicating the case against Tyler Robinson.
- A White House meeting over the access included Patel, Kent, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and senior DOJ officials.
- Patel and Gabbard issued a joint statement vowing a united effort to “leave no stone unturned,” while a Fox News–cited FBI source called reports of a serious rift exaggerated and ODNI and the FBI stressed cooperation with Congress.
- Robinson faces state aggravated murder charges carrying potential death-penalty exposure, and public commentary has intensified, with Candace Owens criticizing Patel over his handling of the matter.