FBI Director Kash Patel waits for an extradition flight that was carrying Muhammed Sharifullah, who is accused of helping plan the Kabul airport bombing in August 2021. (Justice Department)
Since January, the FBI has seen more than 10,000 new agent applications, according to FBI data.
In January, the first month of the Trump administration and the month of Patel’s nomination and confirmation hearing, the FBI saw 4,143 applications to join the bureau – the first time the bureau had seen a month of new agent applications in the 4,000s since August 2020.
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"The record number of FBI job applications in March shows that people are inspired by Kash Patel’s commitment to restoring integrity and effectiveness at the bureau," Patel advisor Erica Knight told Fox News Digital Wednesday. "Americans are putting their trust in his leadership to rebuild the FBI and keep our communities safe."
And, Knight told Fox News Digital, "this is just the beginning."
Kash Patel, director of the FBI, speaks during his swearing-in ceremony in Washington, Feb. 21, 2025. (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"This must change," Patel testified. "Public cooperation is vital for the bureau to solve crimes, and its declining reputation is already affecting recruitment efforts."
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The record number of new agent applications comes as Patel and Bongino put a heavy emphasis on new agent recruiting and restoring law enforcement morale by "letting good cops be cops."
In March, Patel released an FBI recruitment video, showing the director in the field with agents and highlighting footage from the hostage rescue team facility urging people to join the team.
During his Senate confirmation hearing in late January, Kash Patel illustrated the "erosion of trust" at the bureau, pointing to polling revealing that "only 40% of Americans hold a favorable view of the FBI." (Anna Moneymaker/Kent Nishimura)
The video ends with a graphic showing the FBI seal, and the words: "A renewed mission. A stronger future."
"Apply today at FBIJobs.gov," the video says.
Patel and Bongino also have privately emphasized to their staff the importance of boosting local partner engagement.
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Sources familiar told Fox News Digital that Patel has instructed his team to offer full and total support to the families of fallen officers, while Bongino has personally reached out and met with the uniformed officers on FBI ground to thank them for their work that "often goes unnoticed."
"Our team will continue to recruit the best law enforcement personnel in the country," Williamson told Fox News Digital. "We hope to see even more brave men and women want to be a part of what we’re building."
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-flooded-record-number-new-agent-applications-kash-patels-first-month-leading-bureau