On March 18, 2025, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Congressman Frank Mirvan exposed a major FBI data security breach. The incident involved an email from the Department of Justice directing FBI agents to compile operational information, a request that violated standard FBI security protocols.

Mirvan questioned FBI Director Cash Patel about whether agents were sending weekly reports of their work. Patel initially denied it, asserting that agents never transmitted such information. Within 47 seconds, Mirvan produced evidence that contradicted Patel’s claims, showing that the email had been sent to supervisors across the bureau, creating a potential security breach. Patel admitted the email was sent but repeatedly could not account for where the information went or whether it remained secure, ultimately stating, “I don’t know.”

The exchange revealed a complete breakdown in accountability and data security. Sensitive operational reports were circulated without a clear chain of custody, leaving supervisors uncertain about retention, deletion, or forwarding procedures. The incident raised serious questions about institutional oversight and the FBI’s ability to protect classified information.

The fallout was immediate: the clip of Patel’s contradictory testimony went viral, experts and former agents criticized the agency’s handling of sensitive data, and the DOJ Inspector General launched an investigation. The episode highlighted how even top federal officials can fail to ensure basic operational security, demonstrating the importance of clear protocols and leadership accountability in law enforcement agencies.