FBI Director Kash Patel faces bipartisan backlash over planned Russia trip

FBI Director Kash Patel Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Planned Russia Trip

FBI Director Kash Patel has drawn sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans following the announcement of 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 lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Reactions from across the aisle:

• 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 ally of Donald Trump, 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."

Patel's tenure as FBI director has been marked by controversy, including reports of a drinking problem, alleged temper tantrums, and private jet flights with his young girlfriend at taxpayer expense. While it remains unclear whether he plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the trip has drawn suspicion from both the right and center-left—particularly given the Trump administration's increasing deference to the Kremlin.

Lindsey Graham's Sister Declares Candidacy for His Senate Seat, Drawing MAGA Criticism

Darline Graham Nordone, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, has officially announced her intention to run for his vacant Senate seat—a decision that has provoked backlash from within the MAGA movement.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Nordone last week to temporarily fill the vacancy following the 71-year-old senator's sudden death from a heart issue.

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

Despite having no legislative experience, Nordone assumed her brother's position with Donald Trump's endorsement. However, her decision to seek a full six-year term surprised South Carolina GOP officials.

"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.

Criticism from right-wing figures:

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

• Former Representative Bob Good (R-VA), former 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..."