FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency is focused on reducing the number of American hostages held overseas.
Speaking at a State Department event, Patel promised to use all available resources to ensure no other American family experiences the pain of having a loved one held captive. He emphasized efforts to bring Americans home from countries like Russia and Venezuela, as well as secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Patel vowed to continue the FBI’s work around the clock to resolve these cases and prevent future kidnappings.
Earlier, Patel announced the first major arrest under his leadership, involving the FBI’s Virginia Homeland Security Taskforce, which apprehended gang members, including MS-13 leaders, as part of efforts to secure the border and enforce immigration laws.
