In a rare and extraordinary pushback, new FBI Director Kash Patel said Friday night that media reports claiming a female agent ran a “honeypot” operation against Donald Trump during the Obama years was not true and unfair to the agent.

“A female agent was falsely referenced in the media this week as part of an alleged whistleblower disclosure- she was NOT a honeypot,” Patel wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

“I have reviewed the matter, again, and she did the limited job assigned to her. These actions were also reviewed by Special Counsel John Durham and he found no evidence of any wrongdoing by her,” the director said. “This agent has dedicated her life to public service, and I will have her back for it.”

The statement by Patel was extraordinary since he was a critic of the FBI before he took over as its director, and helped unravel the misconduct of the FBI during the unfounded Russia collusion case known as Crossfire Hurricane brought against Trump during the 2016 campaign.

Reports in conservative media earlier this week suggested that  a whistleblower provided evidence that the FBI under former Director James Comey ran a “honeypot” operation against Trump to try to entrap him as far back as 2015.

Patel unequivocally stated the stories were not true and that it was important for him to set the record straight. 

“The American people will get an FBI that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice,” he wrote. “Just like when I exposed grotesque violations and fraud leading the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Crossfire Hurricane calling out corrupt actors; I will equally defend those attacked falsely, especially as your new FBI Director. 

“I will always be the first to push for accountability from within, my track record has established that, but we do not establish guilt by association in this FBI,” he added. “Stay the course and abide by our high standards, and I will always have your back. Deviate in anyway, and you will not be a part of this FBI. She is here to stay.”