FBI Director Kash Patel has floated the idea of using Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) trainers to improve agents’ martial arts skills, according to four people familiar with the plan.
Patel raised the proposal during his first video call with the FBI’s 55 field office supervisors on Wednesday. Two sources briefed on the discussion described the idea as "surreal" and "wacky."
The FBI declined to comment on the plan, and UFC has not yet responded.
President Donald Trump, a longtime fan of mixed martial arts, attended a UFC event in New York shortly after his election victory in November. UFC President Dana White, a close friend of Trump, has supported him in past campaigns.
During the call, Patel credited Dan Bongino, a far-right podcaster and Trump ally, with inspiring the initiative. Bongino, set to become the FBI's deputy director in mid-March, is reportedly a UFC fan. Patel suggested exploring a partnership with the organization for training purposes.
A former Justice Department official, speaking anonymously, criticized the move, calling it "clearly motivated by glitz and glamour" rather than operational needs.
Since taking office last week, Patel has already begun restructuring the FBI. He has ordered the relocation of 1,500 employees from Washington, D.C., to field offices and an FBI site in Huntsville, Alabama. His book, Government Gangsters, outlines plans to decentralize FBI operations and reduce staffing at headquarters.
Patel reaffirmed his commitment to these changes during the field office call. He also announced that Bongino will begin visiting FBI offices shortly after assuming his role in March.
It remains unclear how a partnership between the FBI and UFC would function.
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U.S. President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from King Charles for a second state visit to Britain, marking an unprecedented diplomatic gesture. The invitation was delivered by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a White House meeting on Thursday.
Trump announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, set for March 4, citing fentanyl smuggling concerns. He also raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%. While talks with North American officials continue, the new trade measures could disrupt economic ties and escalate tensions with China.
Kim Jong Un supervised a strategic cruise missile test and ordered full nuclear readiness, calling it the key to national defense, state media reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are "very well advanced" and credited Russia for its role in the negotiations. The statement came as he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.
Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan has called on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to disarm and disband, a move that could end its decades-long conflict with Türkiye. The appeal has drawn mixed reactions from Turkish political figures and international actors.
U.S. President Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from King Charles for a second state visit to Britain, marking an unprecedented diplomatic gesture. The invitation was delivered by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a White House meeting on Thursday.
Trump announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, set for March 4, citing fentanyl smuggling concerns. He also raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%. While talks with North American officials continue, the new trade measures could disrupt economic ties and escalate tensions with China.
Kim Jong Un supervised a strategic cruise missile test and ordered full nuclear readiness, calling it the key to national defense, state media reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are "very well advanced" and credited Russia for its role in the negotiations. The statement came as he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House.
Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan has called on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to disarm and disband, a move that could end its decades-long conflict with Türkiye. The appeal has drawn mixed reactions from Turkish political figures and international actors.
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