Conservative watchdog Judicial Watch sours on Patel, Bongino: 'Hostages of the Deep State'

Formerly conservative heavyweights FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino are rapidly losing the confidence of at least one member of the MAGA movement, with watchdog group Judicial Watch alleging this week they have failed to deliver enough transparency on prior scandals.

In an investigative bulletin from the organization, Judicial Watch reporters highlighted their prior support for the pair, but lamented that the pair appeared to have been swept up by bureau norms.

"These days, as well, conservative insiders are alarmed by mounting signs that Patel and Bongino have been taken hostage by the Deep State consensus and are failing to bring meaningful change to the FBI," they wrote.

FBI and DOJ officials dispute the portrayal, telling Just the News the FBI has produced tens of thousands of pages to DOJ and Congress since Patel and Bongino started on scandals ranging from Russia collusion to the JFK assassination. The officials said the documents get a secondary review at DOJ to determine which are supposed to be sent to Congress because of prior unanswered document requests and subpoenas and then are released to the public.

Officials said major public releases from DOJ from the files FBI scoured in recent weeks are due this summer, including some still this month.

Judicial Watch also took issue with Patel's appointment of Steven Jensen, a leader of the Jan. 6 investigations, to lead the Washington Field Office.

They also fumed at the lack of transparency on the Epstein files, despite promises to release the documents.

"Conservatives still wish them well, but time is running out. And the president who promised to 'demolish the Deep State' is watching from the White House. They will not be forgiven for bungling a historic opportunity," they warned.