The Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel is preparing for Senate and House judiciary committee hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he will address early missteps in the investigation into conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s killing and broader questions about his leadership of the agency.

Patel, appointed amid political divisions, faces criticism from fellow conservatives like Manhattan Institute fellow Christopher F. Rufo, who questions his operational expertise on X, stating, “He performed terribly in the last few days, and it’s not clear whether he has the operational expertise to investigate, infiltrate, and disrupt the violent movements that threaten the peace in the United States.”

The scrutiny follows Patel’s erroneous X post announcing the suspect’s custody, later corrected after release, drawing “amateur hour” remarks from Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin. Patel reportedly vented frustration to FBI staff over delayed updates, including a suspect photo, per The Associated Press.

The hearings come after a lawsuit from three fired FBI executives, including Brian Driscoll, who alleges retaliation for resisting demands for January 6 agents’ names and challenging the termination of an FBI pilot falsely linked to the Mar-a-Lago search.

Patel’s resource reallocation toward immigration and street crime, alongside Trump’s grievances, has fueled doubts.  President Trump praised Patel Saturday for swiftly identifying and capturing suspect Tyler Robinson in Kirk’s killing, but the probe’s handling has sparked ridicule from far-right groups.