FBI Chief Kash Patel Sparks Alarm After Login Glitch, Thought He Was Fired

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Last Updated:April 18, 2026, 08:40 IST

The confusion also led to inquiries reaching the White House and members of Congress about who was in charge.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel encountered difficulty while trying to log into an internal system just before leaving for the weekend on Friday, April 10. Believing he had been locked out, he began making urgent calls to aides and associates, claiming that he had been removed from his position by the White House, according to nine individuals familiar with the situation, the Atlantic reported.

Two of them described his reaction as a “freak-out." Patel leads the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an agency with nearly 38,000 employees, many trained in evidence-based investigations.

News of the incident spread quickly within the bureau, triggering discussions among officials and, in some areas, even a sense of relief. The confusion also led to inquiries reaching the White House and members of Congress about who was in charge.

However, it was later clarified that Patel remained in his position and had not been dismissed. According to two sources, the login issue was likely caused by a technical glitch and was resolved soon after. “It was all ultimately bullshit," one FBI official said.

Despite this, concerns about his job security appear to persist. Multiple current and former officials close to Patel indicated that he fears losing his role. Reports earlier this month by Ashley Parker suggested he was among those expected to be removed following Attorney General Pam Bondi’s ouster on April 2.

An FBI official said, “We’re all just waiting for the word" regarding his removal, while a former official described Patel as “rightly paranoid," in remarks shared with Jonathan Lemire. Sources also indicated that senior members of the Trump administration have begun informal discussions about possible replacements.

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First Published:

April 18, 2026, 08:40 IST

News world FBI Chief Kash Patel Sparks Alarm After Login Glitch, Thought He Was Fired

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