FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny over reports that he attempted to establish a direct line to President Donald Trump, cutting out Attorney General Pam Bondi. The alleged move, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, would mark a break from the traditional chain of command, which requires the FBI director to report to the attorney general.

Patel’s office has denied the report, calling it an attempt to distract from the FBI’s mission. FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson dismissed the claims outright, stating that the accusations are false and have no basis in fact.

The report also suggested that Patel sought to retain longtime FBI agent Robert Kissane as his deputy but later chose Dan Bongino, a well-known conservative commentator, at Trump’s request. Additionally, it claimed Patel has questioned whether he can hire a private security team rather than rely on the agents assigned to protect him.

Those close to Patel argue that the claims are part of an effort to discredit his leadership as he seeks to overhaul the FBI. Patel, who was a strong Trump ally before taking on his current role, has been a central figure in efforts to reform the bureau’s handling of politically charged cases.

Within the Justice Department, Patel has been working closely with Bondi, despite claims that his actions have undermined her authority. A DOJ spokesperson stated that the attorney general and FBI director are aligned in their mission to restore public trust in law enforcement.

Patel’s leadership of the FBI follows years of controversy within the agency, as Trump and his allies have sought to eliminate what they call “deep state” interference in law enforcement.