FBI Agents Ripped for Hiding Vital Info in Charlie Kirk Case
The FBI is facing sharp criticism after reports revealed agents waited nearly 12 hours before showing Director Kash Patel a photo of the man suspected of assassinating conservative leader Charlie Kirk.
During a tense conference call Thursday morning, Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino ripped into subordinates for the delay, telling staff they would have released the images immediately if they’d been made aware. One official on the call told the New York Times Patel mocked the bureau’s “Mickey Mouse operations,” adding it was one of the only moments he wasn’t cursing.
The killing of Kirk has become one of the most high-profile cases in the nation — and President Donald Trump has made clear he wants the death penalty pursued.
Speaking on Fox News Friday, Trump confirmed that a suspect was in custody and declared: “I hope he’s going to be found guilty, and I hope he gets the death penalty. What he did — Charlie Kirk was the finest person and he didn’t deserve this.”
Authorities later identified the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt ended when his father convinced him to surrender. Robinson allegedly shot Kirk in the throat with a rifle from an elevated position as the conservative activist spoke to thousands at Utah Valley University.
Robinson is now being held without bail on charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and firing a gun in a way that caused serious injury. Prosecutors have signaled that more charges could be added, including weapons violations.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Sunday that Robinson is refusing to cooperate with investigators. However, Cox also emphasized that “all the people around him were cooperating, and I think that’s very important.” Cox noted that those who knew Robinson said he was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.”
Legal experts say the case raises the question of whether prosecutors will pursue life in prison or push for the death penalty. Utah is one of 27 states that still allows capital punishment, though appeals often delay executions for over a decade.
Robinson’s attorneys are expected to argue that he acted alone and may raise mental health issues as a shield against the death penalty. For now, Robinson is under “special watch” at the Utah County Sheriff’s Department to monitor his mental health and determine where he will ultimately be housed.
Fox News reported that before the arrest, Robinson’s father recognized his son in surveillance images released during the manhunt and told law enforcement. He reportedly persuaded his son to turn himself in after first contacting a preacher the family trusted.
The FBI’s 12-hour delay in elevating crucial evidence to its top leadership has sparked questions about whether internal dysfunction slowed the manhunt. For Patel and Bongino, the incident reinforced frustration with a bureaucracy that, in their words, still can’t shake “Mickey Mouse operations” even in a national tragedy.