FBI Director Kash Patel told media that the man accused of killing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk wrote in a text message that “some hatred cannot be negotiated with,” a statement Patel described as part of the suspect’s justification for the shooting.
Patel said Tuesday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson acknowledged to investigators that he had the opportunity to "take out" Kirk and intended to do so. Robinson is scheduled to appear in court and is expected to be formally charged in the case, Patel said. The director said interviews conducted by the FBI and local and regional law enforcement yielded what he described as an effective admission by the suspect and that DNA recovered from a towel wrapped around the firearm matched Robinson.
Patel spoke amid criticism of the bureau’s handling of the investigation and ahead of a planned Senate appearance in which lawmakers are expected to question him about the agency’s actions. Patel acknowledged public scrutiny over the pace and public statements in the case but defended the bureau’s operations, telling Fox News that investigators had been transparent about their work and that some early public statements reflected rapidly evolving investigative steps.
The director said the FBI worked with law enforcement partners in Utah to locate Robinson and that the arrest followed tips and investigative leads. Authorities announced the suspect’s capture roughly 44 hours after Kirk was shot; the bureau and local officials have said Robinson was taken into custody after a family member alerted police. Patel said he would not "stylize the evidence" and that more information would be released as it becomes available.
Reaction among conservative commentators and allies of the slain pundit was divided. Some critics blamed Patel for perceived missteps during the manhunt, citing reports of multiple detentions that did not lead to charges and saying the bureau’s public updates were confusing. Christopher Rufo of the Manhattan Institute wrote on social media that Republicans should assess whether Patel was the right person to lead the FBI. Radio host Erick Erickson also described the situation as "concerning," and National Review writer Michael Brendan Dougherty questioned aspects of the investigation and press accounts.
Other voices defended the director and the bureau. President Donald Trump told Fox News he was "very proud of the FBI," saying Patel and others had done a great job. Social media posts from some supporters also praised the agency’s work and urged that Patel not be removed.
On television, Patel said agents had identified a "subject," interviewed that person and released him when the evidence did not support charges. He said the bureau’s responsibilities include separating people who are not involved in a crime from those who are, and that investigators sometimes have to publicly discuss subjects they later clear. Asked about whether his public posts and comments were premature, Patel said he could have worded things better but defended his overall transparency.
The FBI’s public affairs office said the agency worked with local partners in Utah to bring the alleged perpetrator to justice and pledged continued transparency as appropriate in an ongoing investigation. Four former senior FBI officials told NBC News that some of Patel’s public statements were premature.
Patel was narrowly confirmed as FBI director in February by a 51-49 Senate vote. His tenure has already been marked by controversy, including disputes over the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, an issue both Patel and President Trump had previously promised to address.
Prosecutors and investigators are continuing to develop the case against Robinson as court proceedings move forward. Patel told reporters that investigators will continue to provide updates "as we are able" and reiterated that more information from interviews, digital evidence and forensic testing will be disclosed in due course.