FBI Director Kash Patel faces bipartisan backlash over planned Russia trip

FBI Director Kash Patel has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum over his planned trip to Russia in October.

According to a Politico report published Monday, Patel will likely be hosted by the FSB—the Russian security service that succeeded the Soviet Union's KGB. The news has shocked both Democrats and Republicans.

Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum

• Occupy Democrats wrote on X: "Kash Patel, the man who spent years peddling conspiracy theories to protect Trump from Russia investigation fallout, is now planning to personally fly to Russia and cozy up with the very security apparatus his own agency is supposed to be defending America against. No sitting FBI director has visited Moscow since Robert Mueller, back in 2013, before he went on to lead the very investigation into Trump-Russia collusion that Patel has spent years dismissing as a 'hoax.' Let that sink in."

• Laura Loomer, a far-right sycophant and close Trump ally, said: "Our FBI Director, who was an unregistered lobbyist for Qatar, is heading to Russia as the White House prepares to impose more sanctions on Russia, which is supplying Iran with weapons to murder U.S. soldiers. Nothing to see here."

• Democratic Representative Andy Kim said: "On the same day Trump imposes a 50% tariff on Canada, Kash Patel announces he's traveling to Russia. Trump continues to destroy our reputation abroad by treating enemies like friends and friends like enemies."

Controversy Surrounding Patel's Tenure

Patel's brief time as FBI director has been marked by multiple controversies, including:

• A reported drinking problem
• Temper tantrums
• Private jet flights with his young girlfriend at taxpayer expense

While it remains unclear whether Patel plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the trip, both the right and center-left remain suspicious of his motives—particularly given the Trump administration's increasing deference to the Kremlin.

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Lindsey Graham's Sister Announces Run for His Senate Seat, Drawing MAGA Criticism

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham Nordone to temporarily fill Lindsey Graham's Senate vacancy last week, days after the 71-year-old lawmaker suddenly passed away from a heart issue.

Nordone has now officially decided to run for the full term.

"I feel like I can do it. I feel an inner peace about it. Will it be difficult? Yes, absolutely," she told Fox News's Sean Hannity in an interview clip shared Monday. "I've made a decision: I'm in."

The younger Graham assumed her brother's position with Donald Trump's blessing, despite having zero legislative experience. However, her decision to seek a full six-year term surprised the South Carolina GOP.

"My understanding is that she told Governor McMaster that she would accept the appointment to fill the rest of the term, not to be a candidate for it," state GOP Chair Drew McKissick told Politico last week, when Nordone first began publicly considering a full-term run.

Right-Wing Backlash

Nordone's Monday decision drew sharp criticism from conservative influencers and media personalities:

• Sean Davis, CEO of The Federalist, wrote on X: "Hard pass. Birthright senatorship is idiotic."

• Former Virginia Representative Bob Good, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, posted: "Trump continues to fill the Swamp with the worst congressional creatures, including his predictable endorsement of Darline Graham. Are there worse criteria than 1) family name, and 2) pledged unconditional and unconstitutional allegiance and obedience to the president?"

• Glenn Greenwald, co-founder of The Intercept, observed that "it didn't take Lindsey Graham's sister very long to go from 'thank you for this placeholder app..."