Fox News host Sean Hannity lavished praise on FBI Director Kash Patel Monday night, telling him on-air, “Obviously, you’re doing an incredible job,” despite the growing pile of controversies now surrounding Patel’s leadership at the bureau.
Patel has recently faced mounting scrutiny over allegations involving excessive drinking, questionable use of FBI resources, and bizarre behavior tied to his security detail. Last month, The Atlantic published a bombshell report claiming Patel at one point believed Donald Trump had fired him after he was reportedly locked out of an FBI computer system.
The same report also alleged that members of Patel’s security team struggled to wake him because he appeared to be intoxicated, according to information reportedly shared with both Justice Department and White House officials. In one incident, agents allegedly called for “breaching equipment” after Patel became unreachable behind locked doors.
The report followed another viral moment involving Patel, who was filmed enthusiastically chugging beer inside the U.S. men’s hockey team locker room after their gold medal victory.
Patel has since filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic over the reporting.
Despite the controversies, Hannity treated Patel like a conquering hero during Monday’s interview, which aired just hours after a horrifying shooting at a mosque in San Diego left three people dead. Authorities say two teenage gunmen opened fire before later killing themselves.
Although Hannity only briefly acknowledged the mosque attack earlier in the broadcast, he pivoted during Patel’s interview to ask why churches and synagogues were supposedly under attack at unprecedented levels.
“Director, I know a lot of pastors, I know a lot of rabbis around the country,” Hannity said. “Without exception, they have all upped their security level to the highest levels they’ve ever had to before. Why does it appear that churches and synagogues are being targeted like never before?”
“Because these people are pure evil,” Patel responded. “These people wish to target Americans based on their faith because they are intolerant of the way America operates. They are jealous of the American democracy that we have here, and they choose to be cowards and target us from afar based on our institutions and our houses of worship and our faith. And that’s what separates America from the rest of the world.”
Hannity quickly followed up by applauding Patel’s performance at the FBI.
“Americans deserve law and order and safety and security,” Hannity said. “Obviously, you’re doing an incredible job. The numbers do speak for themselves.”
The glowing praise comes as Patel continues facing criticism over his conduct, including recent reports detailing a controversial “VIP snorkel” excursion at the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor — a sacred site honoring those killed during the Japanese attack in World War II.
For many critics, the contrast between Patel’s mounting scandals and the nonstop praise he receives from MAGA media figures has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
About the Author
