FBI Director Kash Patel has found himself at the center of two separate controversies this year, both of which have placed his leadership and decision-making under the microscope. From his outspoken condemnation of tributes to Assata Shakur following her death in Cuba, to the diplomatic blunder involving firearm replicas gifted to New Zealand officials, Patel’s actions have sparked heated debates on both sides of the globe.
On September 28, 2025, Patel took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce a wave of online tributes honoring Assata Shakur, the former Black Liberation Army member and convicted killer of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster. In his post, Patel declared, “Joanne Chesimard didn’t ‘fight for justice.’ She murdered New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in cold blood then fled to Cuba to escape accountability. The FBI never stopped calling her what she was: a terrorist.” He went further, stating, “Mourning her is spitting on the badge and the blood of every cop who gave their life in service.” According to The New York Times, Patel’s words echoed a deep frustration among law enforcement and conservative circles, who viewed the online celebration of Shakur’s life as a direct affront to the memory of fallen officers.
Shakur, born Joanne Chesimard, became a notorious figure in American criminal and political history. Convicted in 1973 for the murder of Trooper Foerster during a routine traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, she later escaped from prison in 1979 and found asylum in Cuba in 1984, thanks to Fidel Castro’s government. The FBI subsequently placed her on its "Most Wanted Terrorists" list, offering a $1 million reward for information leading to her capture. Shakur remained in Cuba until her death in late April 2024, her exact age undisclosed.
Despite her criminal conviction, Shakur’s death prompted tributes from several progressive organizations. The Democratic Socialists of America posted, “Rest in Power, Assata Shakur. The American state brutally oppressed Assata and her Black Panther Party Comrades. The Cubans welcomed her and other Black Revolutionaries with asylum, and their solidarity and loyalty allowed Assata to live out her days in Havana.” Similarly, the Chicago Teachers Union honored her as “a revolutionary fighter, a fierce writer, a revered elder of Black liberation, and a leader of freedom whose spirit continues to live in our struggle.”
These tributes were met with swift backlash from political leaders and law enforcement officials. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, joined Patel in condemning the praise for Shakur. Murphy stated, “She was convicted of the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, who was executed in cold blood. There are so many worthy heroes to celebrate. She is not one of them.” According to BBC News, Murphy’s remarks highlighted the enduring pain felt by Foerster’s family and colleagues, as well as the broader law enforcement community.
Shakur’s affiliation with the Black Liberation Army—a militant offshoot of the Black Panther Party—further complicated her legacy. The group was linked to a series of armed robberies, police shootings, and bombings throughout the 1970s. In her 1987 autobiography, Shakur contended that she was wrongfully targeted and punished for her political beliefs, a claim that has fueled ongoing debate about her life and actions. With her passing in Havana, a decades-long saga closed, but the controversy surrounding her legacy has only intensified.
While Patel’s comments on Shakur reverberated across the United States, his actions abroad also drew significant attention. In July 2025, Patel traveled to New Zealand to inaugurate a standalone intelligence office, making him the highest-ranking official from President Donald Trump’s administration to visit the country. The trip, intended to bolster intelligence cooperation, instead sparked a diplomatic incident over the gifting of firearm replicas to top New Zealand officials.
As reported by Deutsche Welle, Patel presented New Zealand’s Police Commissioner Richard Chambers with a “coin display stand featuring an inoperable plastic 3D-printed replica pistol.” Chambers later explained, “The advice of the Firearms Safety Authority was sought the following day and the gifts were collected from recipients and secured that day.” He added, “While inoperable in the form they were gifted, a subsequent analysis by the Firearms Safety Authority and Police Armoury determined that modifications could have made them operable.”
Similar gifts were given to Andrew Hampton and Andrew Clark, the heads of New Zealand’s spy agency, as well as to Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Minister for Defense Judith Collins. The response from New Zealand authorities was swift and unequivocal: all the replica firearms were destroyed to comply with the country’s strict firearms laws. These laws, particularly regarding pistols, were significantly strengthened after a mass shooting in 2019.
The U.S. embassy in Wellington sought to downplay the incident, stating the gift was intended as a coin display stand and that the non-operable firearm replica was merely a design element. “We supported New Zealand officials’ efforts to ensure this gift did not inadvertently contravene any New Zealand firearms laws. The embassy has indicated to our New Zealand counterparts our understanding and acceptance of their decision regarding the disposition of the director’s well-intentioned gift,” a spokesperson said. The FBI itself has not commented publicly on the matter.
The controversy highlighted the cultural and legal differences between the two nations regarding firearms. New Zealand’s rigorous approach stands in stark contrast to the United States, where gun ownership is far more prevalent and less regulated. The incident also underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity and legal awareness in international diplomacy—especially when symbolic gestures can have unintended consequences.
Back in the U.S., the uproar over Shakur’s legacy and the reaction to her death have exposed deep divisions in American society. Progressive organizations see Shakur as a symbol of resistance against systemic oppression, while law enforcement and many political leaders view her as a convicted murderer and domestic terrorist. Patel’s forceful statements have positioned him as a defender of law enforcement’s honor, but have also drawn criticism from those who believe the narrative around Shakur is more complex.
Patel, a former federal prosecutor and Trump administration official, now occupies one of the most visible law enforcement roles in the country. His recent actions—both at home and abroad—reflect the challenges of navigating a polarized political landscape and an increasingly interconnected world. Whether addressing the legacy of a controversial figure or managing diplomatic relations with a close ally, Patel’s decisions have had wide-ranging implications, sparking debate, and, at times, controversy.
As these episodes demonstrate, the intersection of politics, law enforcement, and international relations rarely yields easy answers. The story of Kash Patel’s tumultuous year offers a window into the complexities—and the stakes—of leadership in today’s world.
