FBI Director Kash Patel is expressing concerns that the agency will struggle to carry out its duties if a recent budget cut proposal by the White House is enacted.

Unveiled last Friday, the proposal aims to reduce the FBI’s budget by $545 million as a part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to cut government expenditures by $163 billion.

“We cannot cover down on the mission at the levels that we would have to go to, which would be the 2011 levels, should all the budget cuts you just outlined be implemented,” Patel stated while testifying before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

Patel also urged the panel to approve an $11.1 billion budget for the bureau – an increase of $1 billion over the proposed figure – to combat what he described as increased levels of crime and terrorism across the country. 

The Trump administration has proposed a $545 million budget cut to streamline FBI operations. (Anna Moneymaker/Kent Nishimura)

It would also eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as “pet projects” from the former Biden administration, as they “do not align with the President’s priorities,” the budget proposal added.

“The threats we face as a nation have never been greater or more diverse, and the expectations placed on the FBI have never been higher,” the FBI statement continued. “With the requested resources, the FBI will have the talent, tools, and authorities to do more to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution.”