The more we learn about FBI Director Kash Patel, the more concerned we should be about our nation’s security. Even before Patel took office, there were deep concerns about his truthfulness and his perceived blind loyalty to President Donald Trump, and there were reports of an apparent blacklist of people he might target for revenge. Those concerns remain, but now, about 80 days into his tenure, Patel is also looking like an absent, uninterested leader.

Patel testified before a House of Representatives panel Wednesday without a fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, which was overdue. Nevertheless, and without offering details, he told the lawmakers before him that the FBI needs $1 billion more than the current budget to carry out its mission. Patel might be right that the FBI needs more resources. The problem was that his answer clashed with Trump’s plan to slash $1 billion from the bureau’s budget.