Kash Patel explodes at ‘clown factory’ MSNBC over James Comey indictment coverage

WASHINGTON, DC: FBI Director Kash Patel lashed out at MSNBC, accusing the network of spreading falsehoods about his agency’s handling of former FBI Director James Comey’s indictment.

Patel’s tirade came after MSNBC executive Jesse Rodriguez posted on X that “an FBI agent in the Washington field office has been fired for refusing to arrest and perp walk James Comey.”

That post sparked backlash and legal commentary, including from former Attorney and MSNBC legal analyst Barb McQuade. She noted that Department of Justice policy prohibits “perp walks,” in which defendants are paraded before cameras after an arrest.

Kash Patel blasts MSNBC, calls it ‘clown factory of disinformation’

Patel, never one to hold back, quickly fired off his own response. “BREAKING: MSNBC still an a** clown factory of disinformation,” he wrote. “Same circus animals that slobbered all over perp walks of Stone, Navarro, Bannon… MSNBC has no facts and no audience. In this @fbi, follow the chain of command or get relieved.”

McQuade initially responded to Patel in a since-deleted post, arguing that she did not recall “perp walks” in the cases of Stone, Navarro, or Bannon, adding, “Whataboutism is not a defense that will be recognized in court.”

James Comey faces indictment as Washington’s political tensions flare

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury last week on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice linked to his 2020 congressional testimony. The indictment has reignited long-running political battles over his leadership at the FBI and his role during key investigations.

In a statement following the indictment, Comey maintained his innocence and welcomed the opportunity to clear his name. “Let’s have a trial,” he declared.

CBS News reported that Patel’s FBI had considered a “showy” arrest of Comey in the wake of the indictment, though no final decision had been made.

The prospect of a high-profile arrest further fueled speculation over whether law enforcement would break from tradition in handling the case.

Some legal experts, including conservative attorney George Conway, have cast doubt on the strength of the indictment itself. Conway and others have described the charges as “invalid” on procedural grounds, suggesting they may not withstand judicial scrutiny.

Still, the case has electrified Washington, setting off partisan reactions on both sides of the aisle and thrusting the FBI once again into the center of a politically charged legal battle.

Kash Patel slams media over James Comey indictment coverage

Earlier, FBI Director Kash Patel issued a strong defense of the Trump administration’s prosecution of former FBI chief James Comey following his indictment this week.

Patel directed sharp criticism at media outlets, accusing them of spreading false narratives to discredit the investigation.

“Career FBI agents, intel analysts, and staff led the investigation into Comey and others. They called the balls and strikes and will continue to do so,” wrote Patel in a social media post.

He added that attacks on the bureau come from “the same bankrupt media that sold the world on Russia Gate — it’s hypocrisy on steroids.”