FBI Director Kash Patel told lawmakers Wednesday that President Donald Trump‘s proposed $10 billion FBI budget for FY2026 is insufficient and could harm the bureau’s mission. Patel is requesting over $11 billion, warning that 2011-level funding would hinder operations.
At a House Appropriations hearing, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) pressed Patel on what cuts would be made if Trump’s proposal were enacted. “It quite literally would defund law enforcement,” DeLauro said. Patel replied that he’s in discussions with the Office of Management and Budget to increase the figure, and said the bureau has no plans for layoffs unless ethical or legal violations occur.
Patel also addressed the pending litigation involving potential action against employees who worked on Jan. 6 investigations and clarified he did not issue the controversial threat.
In response to concerns over decentralizing the FBI, Patel defended his plan to disperse 1,500 employees from Washington to field offices nationwide, a shift he says strengthens intelligence work outside the Beltway.
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