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According to reports, 5,577 new FBI agent applications were submitted in March alone, marking the highest monthly total since April 2016
FBI Director Kash Patel (IMAGE: REUTERS/FILE)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) witnessed a significant surge in new agent applications during Kash Patel’s first month as Director, with the influx of law enforcement job seekers nearly doubling the monthly average recorded since 2016.
According to reports, 5,577 new FBI agent applications were submitted in March alone, marking the highest monthly total since April 2016, when the agency received 5,283 applications.
In comparison, the monthly average for FBI agent applications was 2,797 in 2023 and 3,383 in 2024, according to FBI data reviewed by Fox News.
“Director Patel and Deputy Director (Dan) Bongino have put a major emphasis on restoring confidence in federal law enforcement and boosting new agent recruiting,” FBI spokesman Ben Williamson said on Wednesday.
“These record early returns certainly suggest the new FBI is heading in the right direction,” he added.
Since January, the FBI has received over 10,000 new agent applications, according to agency data. In January, the month Kash Patel was nominated and confirmed, as well as the start of the Trump administration, the FBI recorded 4,143 applications—the first time new agent applications surpassed 4,000 in a single month since August 2020.
“The record number of FBI job applications in March shows that people are inspired by Kash Patel’s commitment to restoring integrity and effectiveness at the bureau,” Patel advisor Erica Knight was quoted as saying by Fox News Digital.
“Americans are putting their trust in his leadership to rebuild the FBI and keep our communities safe,” she added.
According to US officials, Patel and Bongino have put heavy emphasis on new agent recruitment and restorement of law enforcement morale by “letting good cops be cops.”
In March, Kash Patel unveiled an FBI recruitment video, featuring him alongside agents in the field and showcasing footage from the hostage rescue team facility, encouraging individuals to join the bureau.
