FBI Director Kash Patel delivered a sharp rebuke to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith on Thursday evening, dismissing the sports commentator’s suggestion that President Trump orchestrated recent arrests of NBA figures in an illegal gambling operation.
Patel appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” with Fox News host Laura Ingraham to address Smith’s on-air speculation.
The FBI director made clear where the buck stops when it comes to federal law enforcement decisions.
“I’m the FBI director. I decide which arrest to conduct and which not to conduct,” Patel stated firmly during the interview.
The nation’s top law enforcement official did not mince words when characterizing Smith’s theory.
He called the ESPN host’s comments potentially the most foolish statement he had encountered in recent memory.
“That may be the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history. And I live most of my time in Washington, DC,” Patel said, taking aim at Smith’s assertion.
Patel drew a comparison to California Rep. Adam Schiff, placing Smith’s remarks in similar company.
The FBI director emphasized the straightforward nature of federal law enforcement work.
“We arrest people for crimes,” he added, underscoring the principle guiding the bureau’s operations.
The controversy stems from a major law enforcement action announced Thursday morning.
Patel revealed the arrest of more than 30 individuals connected to the NBA and organized crime families in a sweeping takedown of two separate illegal gambling operations.
Shortly after news of the arrests broke, Smith addressed the situation on ESPN’s “First Take” program.
The sports commentator suggested viewers should anticipate additional enforcement actions under the current administration.
Smith questioned the timing and presentation of the arrests during his broadcast.
He pointed to the unusual nature of an FBI director holding a press conference for such cases.
“Tell me when we’ve seen that… We’ve seen accusations before. We’ve seen athletes get in trouble with the law before. You don’t see the director of the FBI having a press conference. It’s not coincidental. It’s not an accident. It’s a statement, and it’s a warning that more is coming,” Smith said on-air Thursday.
The ESPN personality went further, making predictions without offering supporting evidence.
He warned his audience that the recent arrests represented only the beginning of something larger.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Smith said without providing any proof.
Smith continued his warning to viewers, suggesting they prepare for additional government actions.
He specifically referenced the president in his remarks.
“It’s very concerning. We don’t know where this is gonna go. But everybody better brace themselves, because he’s coming,” the provocative host said in reference to Trump.
During his segment, Smith mentioned other potential targets he believed the administration might pursue.
He brought up promises regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers attending Bad Bunny’s planned Super Bowl halftime performance.
Smith also identified the WNBA as a possible future focus of administration enforcement efforts, though he provided no basis for this speculation.
The arrests themselves represent a significant law enforcement operation targeting corruption in professional basketball.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups faces charges in the historic bust.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones are also among those indicted in the sprawling case.
The scope of the operation extends beyond the basketball world into organized crime.
Thirty-one people have been arrested in total, according to officials.
The defendants include members of four major mafia families: the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese crime organizations.
Additional defendants include coaches and players from multiple NBA franchises, the New York Post reported.
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