Here’s what happened.
Kash Patel, former President Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, is taking legal action against Olivia Troye, a former aide to ex-Vice President Mike Pence, after she accused him of misconduct. Troye, who has become a vocal critic of Trump, made several damning claims about Patel during a recent MSNBC appearance. She alleged that Patel had “lied about intelligence” and “made things up” about military operations, even going so far as to say he had “put the lives of Navy SEALs at risk.”
In response, Patel’s legal team issued a strongly worded letter to Troye’s lawyer, demanding a retraction of these statements or else face legal consequences. The letter, posted by Patel’s attorney Jesse Binnall on social media, called Troye’s accusations “defamatory” and “false.” Binnall, who also represents Trump in various legal matters, stated that Patel had never lied about national intelligence, endangered military personnel, or misled the Vice President. He further accused Troye of making these statements with “malicious intent” to damage Patel’s reputation for her own political gain.
Troye, however, stood by her comments, insisting on X (formerly Twitter) that her statements were true. She argued that Patel’s response is a continuation of the same aggressive tactics he and others in Trump’s orbit have used against the media and political opponents. She expressed concern over how Patel might behave if confirmed as FBI Director, calling attention to his potential for authoritarian leadership.
Troye has become an outspoken critic of Trump since leaving the White House, publicly supporting Democratic candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, Patel, who served in key national security roles under Trump, remains a staunch ally of the former president and has long accused the “deep state” of undermining Trump’s agenda. As Trump has indicated plans to fire FBI Director Christopher Wray if he wins re-election, Patel is seen as a key figure in Trump’s vision for reshaping the FBI.
Patel has compiled a list of what he calls “government gangsters”—a group of individuals he believes must be held accountable for their role in opposing Trump. This list includes both Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland. As the 2024 election nears, Patel is ramping up his efforts to expose what he sees as corruption within the government.
In the midst of all this, Troye’s stance reveals a growing divide between those who support Trump’s vision for accountability and those who continue to oppose his influence in American politics.
