FBI Director Kash Patel Accused of Failing to Disclose Stock Purchase

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing allegations of violating the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act after failing to report a stock purchase in MicroStrategy, a cryptocurrency company. Patel purchased between $100,001 and $250,000 worth of stock on November 21, 2025, but did not disclose the transaction until May 26, 2026, exceeding the 45-day reporting deadline. In a letter to the Office of Government Ethics, Patel stated he 'inadvertently omitted' the trade from an earlier filing. The Department of Justice, responsible for enforcing STOCK Act violations, has not issued any fines against Patel. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette from the Project on Government Oversight remarked that Patel's late disclosure constitutes a legal violation. The FBI confirmed that Patel filed an amended report once the mistake was identified. MicroStrategy has received significant government contracts, and since Patel's investment, its stock value has decreased by approximately 50%. Deputy Assistant Attorney General William Taylor defended Patel, asserting that the stock purchase does not present a conflict of interest. Calls for a ban on federal officials trading individual stocks have increased among watchdog groups and lawmakers.