The upcoming government funding battle has been a top conversation piece over the last few days, especially when FBI Director Kash Patel pushed back on his department’s proposed budget cuts.
However, after the acting FEMA administrator was fired for publicly opposing similar reductions, Patel seemed to walk back his comments, saying he will work with whatever Trump gives him.
Trump has had it out for FEMA for some time, and upcoming cuts just cost the current acting administrator his job.
During a recent congressional hearing, Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton spoke out against eliminating the agency, as Trump has proposed, by turning its duties over to the respective states while still receiving federal funding.
Hamilton stated, “I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”
The very next day, the administration announced that Hamilton was no longer acting in that role and had been replaced by David Richardson.
Patel also took the opportunity to speak out regarding a proposed cut of more than $500 million to his budget, telling Congress that his mission is at risk with these cuts.
He stated, "We cannot cover down on the mission at the levels that we would have to go to, which would be the 2011 levels, should all the budget cuts you just outlined be implemented.”
Patel is actually looking for an increase in budget, having recommended a budget of $11.1 billion, which is about $1 billion over the proposed figure.
Patel later added, "If we continue on the current trajectory outlined, we will have to not only eliminate 1,100 vacancies currently at the FBI. I will have to fire 1,300 more. In order to fight crime at a level that is consistent with 2025, the budgetary number I've asked for in my paperwork is, I think, reasonable."
After Hamilton was fired, Patel seemed to rethink his comments, slightly walking back what he had said to Congress.
Patel stated, “My view is that we will make and agree with this budget as it stands and make it work for the operational necessity of the FBI.” He added, “As the head of the FBI, I was simply asking for more funds because I can do more with more money.”
I will be honest, I lost a little respect for Patel for backing down, as that was clearly now what he said or meant before the House committee. Have some backbone and stand up for yourself if you think you need more money to the job the right way. But if you get it, you better deliver on your promise.
While I don’t think Trump was even considering letting Patel go over his comments, he clearly did not want to take the risk of publicly pushing back against Trump, so he decided to go into spin mode to save face. As you guys know, I was not a fan of Patel taking over the FBI, but he has proven me wrong thus far, as I think he is doing an exceptional job of getting the agency refocused on its true mission. Honestly, I would have little problem giving him the money he wants, especially in his first year heading the agency. Give him a chance to set himself up for success, then revisit it next year.
