Former FBI official Christopher O’Leary stated that the agency is poaching credit for other agencies' arrests to create a "smoke screen" masking internal chaos and a talent exodus. Former agent Daniel Brunner added that the bureau previously resisted such counting methods to avoid false numbers. In a statement, the FBI did not dispute the drop in referrals but cited a national downward trend in violent crime and the most significant drop in the US murder rate recorded since 1936.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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FBI Criminal Referrals Fall 15% Under Patel Despite Arrest Surge Claims
US Politics6 days ago
Nearly 3,800 fewer people were charged federally with violent crimes during the first part of the second Trump administration than during a comparable period under President Joe Biden. Justice Department data shows that the FBI referred 15% fewer criminal cases for federal prosecution under Director Kash Patel compared to the Biden era, with figures also falling below levels seen during the first Trump term under Director Christopher Wray. While Patel claimed a 90% increase in arrests, totaling 54,000 violent criminals, the FBI admits this count is inflated by including arrests made by local and state police when an FBI agent was present.
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