Washington: FBI Director Kash Patel broke with President Donald Trump's administration over the 2026 budget proposal, which was released on Friday and calls for a funding cut of more than $500 million for the bureau. Patel emphasized the necessity of maintaining current funding levels, stating, "We need more than what has been proposed," during a hearing with lawmakers on Wednesday.

According to Qatar News Agency, Patel was asked at a House Appropriations subcommittee meeting to specify which positions might need to be cut if the proposed funding reduction were implemented. He responded, "At this time, we have not looked at who to cut. We are focusing our energies on how not to have them cut by coming in here and highlighting to you that we can't do the mission on those 2011 budget levels." The proposed budget is part of the Trump administration's plan to "reform and streamline" the FBI and reduce "non-law enforcement missions."

Patel further explained that his proposed budget of $11.1 billion would allow the bureau to maintain its current workforce without any position cuts.