The FBI saw a record number of new agent applications in Director Kash Patel’s first full month at the helm, with the influx of law enforcement job-seekers nearly doubling the monthly average since 2016. In March, 5,577 new FBI agent applications were submitted, according to Fox News Digital. The last time the bureau received a monthly total close to that figure was in April 2016, when it recorded 5,283 applications.
By comparison, the monthly average in 2023 was 2,797 applications, with 3,383 applications per month in 2024, according to FBI data reviewed by the outlet. “Director Patel and Deputy Director (Dan) Bongino have put a major emphasis on restoring confidence in federal law enforcement and boosting new agent recruiting,” FBI spokesman Ben Williamson told Fox News on Wednesday. “These record early returns certainly suggest the new FBI is heading in the right direction.”
Since January, the FBI has received over 10,000 new agent applications, according to FBI data. In January, the first month of the Trump administration and the month of Patel’s nomination and confirmation hearing, the FBI saw 4,143 applications to join the bureau. This marked the first time since August 2020 that the bureau had seen a month with new agent applications in the 4,000s.
“The record number of FBI job applications in March shows that people are inspired by Kash Patel’s commitment to restoring integrity and effectiveness at the bureau,” Patel advisor Erica Knight told Fox News. “Americans are putting their trust in his leadership to rebuild the FBI and keep our communities safe.” Knight went on to add that, “This is just the beginning.” She said: “Kash is dedicated to creating a stronger, more trusted FBI that serves the American people the way it was always meant to.”
During his Senate confirmation hearing in late January, Patel illustrated the “erosion of trust” at the bureau, pointing to polling revealing that “only 40% of Americans hold a favorable view of the FBI.” He testified: “This must change. Public cooperation is vital for the bureau to solve crimes, and its declining reputation is already affecting recruitment efforts.”
The record number of new agent applications comes as Patel and Bongino have placed a strong focus on recruiting new agents and boosting law enforcement morale by “letting good cops be cops.” In March, Patel released an FBI recruitment video, featuring the director in the field with agents and showcasing footage from the hostage rescue team facility, all while encouraging people to join the team.
A renewed mission. A stronger future. @FBI pic.twitter.com/H7NHvPPVua
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 17, 2025
