Kash Patel changed FBI hiring regulations to remove the automatic disqualification for applicants who engaged in bestiality.

What we found

Supports. Reuters reports Patel told lawmakers he changed the bureau's hiring standards to eliminate bestiality as an automatic disqualifier, and quotes him saying the FBI did not want to punish trafficking victims forced into bestiality.[1]

Supports. AP reports Patel defended the bureau's loosening of hiring requirements regarding prostitution and bestiality, a recent policy change that allows some applicants who engaged in bestiality to be considered for employment.[2]

Supports. A Senate Judiciary Democrats letter to Patel describes an internal directive removing bestiality from the list of automatic hiring disqualifications, reportedly implemented as early as February 2025.[3]

Supports. CNN reports that the FBI previously automatically disqualified applicants who acknowledged bestiality and that applicants now won't be automatically disqualified for those acts.[4]

Context. Patel said the change applies to victims, and that applicants who voluntarily engaged in bestiality should still be disqualified; the claim's wording omits this rationale but does not contradict the core assertion.[5][6]

Context. The claim's wording matches the passage's paraphrase that Patel changed the rule so applicants who engaged in bestiality are not automatically disqualified; no extraction addition was found.

Sources

6 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 1 primary, 2 tier 2, 1 not rated

1. 1FBI's Patel defends change in 'bestiality' hiring practice as ...reuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
2. 2FBI Director Kash Patel at Senate hearing | AP Newsapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
3. 3September 14, 2026 The Honorable Kash Patel Director ...judiciary.senate.gov · primary source · cited for: supports
4. 4Kash Patel defends removing bestiality as automatic disqualifier for FBI applicants | CNN Politicscnn.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
5. 5Kash Patel defends FBI’s new policy on bestiality at Senate hearingnbcnews.com · tier 2 · cited for: context
6. 6Patel defends FBI hiring policy after bestiality controversynewsweek.com · not rated · cited for: context

Where this claim was made

Said in 1 published post

• The MeidasTouch Podcast · Sep 15, 2026“And Patel changed the rule to say, "We'll still hire you." Same thing if you were involved in a lot of other very serious misconduct and horrific conduct and criminal conduct.”Post →

Related claims

• Kash Patel stated that applicants who engaged in bestiality were victims of bestiality because they were forced to do so.Mixed
• Senator Dick Durbin asked Kash Patel about the FBI's hiring criteria regarding individuals who have engaged in bestiality.True
• Kash Patel serves as FBI Director.True
• Kash Patel is the Director of the FBI.True
• The FBI Director stated that the FBI is focused on helping victims of bestiality become FBI agents.True