By Steve Neavling
FBI Director Kash Patel has quietly disbanded an internal auditing office created to prevent misuse of national security surveillance, according to officials familiar with the decision, The New York Times reports.
The move eliminates the Office of Internal Auditing, formed in 2020 to monitor FBI compliance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), including Section 702, which allows warrantless surveillance of foreigners but sometimes sweeps in Americans’ communications. The closure comes as Congress weighs whether to reauthorize the controversial law, now set to expire in 2026.
Critics say dissolving the office removes a key safeguard and could further erode public trust, especially given Patel’s past attacks on FBI surveillance during Trump-era investigations. Patel rose to prominence by accusing the FBI of abusing FISA during its Russia probe — claims largely debunked but politically potent.
The auditing unit’s former chief, Cindy Hall, retired suddenly after planning to expand the office. Her team has been transferred to the FBI’s inspection division, which now oversees compliance. It’s unclear whether the division will continue the office’s core work, including training and auditing.
FBI queries of Americans’ data under Section 702 have dropped dramatically in recent years, and the Justice Department’s inspector general also monitors FISA use. Still, some lawmakers argue the watchdog’s closure suggests a retreat from reform, just as surveillance powers remain under intense scrutiny.
