FBI Director Kash Patel criticized MSNBC on Saturday after one of the network’s legal analysts posted that Department of Justice policy prohibits so-called “perp walks” in front of news media.
Patel’s remarks came amid reports that the FBI relieved an agent of duty on Friday over a dispute involving whether to arrange a public appearance in custody for former FBI Director James Comey.
Patel responded on X after Barb McQuade, a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan and a legal analyst for MSNBC, wrote that DOJ policy bars staging “perp walks” for cameras.
Her comments followed multiple reports that an FBI agent was relieved for failing to arrange such an appearance for Comey.
Patel did not deny the reports about the personnel action; he wrote that, under his leadership, agents are expected to follow established lines of authority.
“MSNBC still an ass clown factory of disinformation,” Patel wrote Saturday.
“Same circus animals that slobbered all over perp walks of Stone, Navarro, Bannon… MSNBC has no facts and no audience. In this FBI, follow the chain of command or get relieved.”
BREAKING: MSNBC still an ass clown factory of disinformation. Same circus animals that slobbered all over perp walks of Stone, Navarro, Bannon…
MSNBC has no facts and no audience
In this @fbi, follow the chain of command or get relieved. https://t.co/vl0gPLM6vm
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 4, 2025
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McQuade’s post asserted that DOJ policy prohibits agents from arranging public displays of defendants for the press.
Her statement appeared to be directed at media accounts describing internal FBI actions related to the handling of Comey’s case.
Comey was indicted on Sept. 25 for lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation.
Reporting on Friday stated that the FBI relieved an agent of duty after what was described as a failure to coordinate a public appearance in custody for Comey, a practice McQuade criticized in general terms in her post.
🚨 BREAKING: An FBI agent has been FIRED for refusing to arrange the perp walk and arrest of disgraced former FBI Director James Comey, who has been indicted, per Reuters.
FAFO.
Sounds like a Deep Stater just lost their job. pic.twitter.com/mNlzE77UFT
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 3, 2025
Patel emphasized adherence to internal procedures.
Following Patel’s post, individuals who have previously been subjects of high-profile federal arrests weighed in.
Political consultant Roger Stone and journalist Steve Baker each replied on X with widely circulated images from their arrests, highlighting examples of publicized custody events that drew national attention.
Really ? https://t.co/d4ez18IxDK pic.twitter.com/bkR9xjQbaN
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) October 4, 2025
Excuse me? Hello! 🙋🏼 https://t.co/qZCvo4771g pic.twitter.com/nHXCDz27Dp
— Steve Baker (@SteveBakerUSA) October 4, 2025
McQuade, who served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan from 2010 to 2017, framed her point around what she said are departmental policies discouraging law enforcement from orchestrating public displays of defendants for cameras.
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