FBI Director Kash Patel is under fire for prematurely announcing a terror bust in Michigan.
Patel posted on X early Friday that the FBI had “thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects” in Dearborn over Halloween weekend.
Few details have been released about the planned attack.
The bureau has not confirmed the number of people detained or the nature of the plot.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, reportedly expressed frustration over Patel’s announcement.
The move follows a previous mistake by Patel in September related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Patel claimed a suspect had been arrested in Kirk’s murder, only for the individual to be released hours later.
The actual suspect, Tyler Robinson, was arrested more than 24 hours after the attack.
Patel was widely criticized for jumping the gun.
MSNBC reported senior FBI officials were “frustrated” that Patel went public before a criminal complaint was filed.
The Dearborn plot involved a group of young people, some of whom were minors, who had engaged online with extremist content, according to the Daily Beast.
None of the suspects were immediately charged.
The FBI has released no additional information on the individuals or the investigation.
Patel later followed up with a post stating that a violent plot tied to international terrorism had been disrupted.
He described the operation as “what defending the homeland looks like—vigilance saves lives.”
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force led the operation in Dearborn. Agents executed searches at multiple locations across the Detroit suburb.
Photographs show agents removing suspects from homes while managing onlookers. The identities of those detained have not been disclosed.
The FBI confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and stated that more information will be provided once the criminal complaints are finalized.
Patel has a history of announcing arrests before investigations are complete. Administration officials have raised concerns over his messaging.
The Dearborn operation is part of the FBI’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts. Officials say the bureau continues to monitor threats nationwide.
Bondi’s criticism comes amid other controversies surrounding Patel, including the handling of Charlie Kirk’s assassination investigation and reports of personal use of government resources.
Patel has not provided further comment beyond his X posts. Officials stress the investigation remains active and classified details cannot yet be disclosed.
The case highlights tensions between FBI leadership and other parts of the administration. Bondi and her deputies are reportedly reviewing internal procedures for announcing investigations.
Sources indicate that the bureau is evaluating the timing and scope of public communications to prevent future conflicts or premature announcements.
The investigation in Dearborn continues. More updates are expected as criminal complaints are filed and the case moves through proper channels.
The FBI maintains that protecting the homeland is a priority and that ongoing operations aim to prevent violence before it occurs.
