The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a classified report to its workforce examining what it describes as chapters in the bureau’s history where it "fell short," according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The document, referred to as the 'Patel Report', was distributed to FBI employees following a memo signed by the bureau’s co-deputy directors, Christopher Raia and Andrew Bailey. The memo states that the report marks the "closing of one chapter in our history and the beginning of another complete with a brighter future ahead." Bailey announced his resignation earlier this week, with his last day set for Friday.
The FBI declined to provide further details about the report’s contents or the specific historical episodes it addresses. The memo emphasizes the bureau’s commitment to accountability, stating: "We cannot change what happened before we arrived. But we can confront it honestly. We can recognize failures instead of protecting them. We can hold people accountable." It adds that the FBI aims to build safeguards to prevent past mistakes from recurring.
The report’s release aligns with Director Kash Patel’s stated priorities since taking office. Patel has previously criticized prior FBI leadership for alleged politicization of the bureau and has overseen significant personnel changes, including the termination of employees who participated in investigations of former President Donald Trump, those photographed taking a knee during a 2020 racial justice protest, or who contributed to a disputed analytical memo regarding Catholic extremism.
Critics of Patel argue that his actions have themselves politicized the FBI. The memo defending the report counters this perspective, asserting that "accountability demands" examining past failures. The FBI has not publicly commented on the report beyond the internal memo.
The document’s existence follows Patel’s pledge during his confirmation hearing last year that he would not "look backward," though his subsequent actions have focused on reviewing prior bureau activities. The report’s classified nature means its full contents remain undisclosed to the public, limiting external scrutiny of its findings or recommendations.