The Federal Bureau of Investigation has circulated a classified internal report assessing instances from its past when the agency acknowledges it failed to meet expectations, according to an internal communication obtained Friday. The document, known internally as the “Patel Report,” is named after FBI Director Kash Patel, who has led the bureau since last year.

The report’s contents have not been publicly disclosed, and it remains unclear which historical episodes are analyzed within it. However, its release aligns with Patel’s ongoing efforts to address what he views as politicization within the bureau and to hold former leaders accountable. Since assuming leadership, Patel has overseen a series of personnel terminations affecting agents and employees involved in investigations related to former President Donald Trump, those who engaged in the 2020 racial justice protests by taking a knee, and individuals connected to a controversial analytical memo on Catholic extremism.

Patel’s critics contend that these actions themselves reflect a politicization of the bureau, arguing that investigations initiated under his direction target perceived political adversaries and punish agents who followed directives during prior administrations.

In a message to FBI employees, co-deputy directors Christopher Raia and Andrew Bailey characterized the Patel Report as a means to close a chapter in the bureau’s history while signaling the start of a new phase aimed at a “brighter future.” The note emphasized the importance of confronting past missteps frankly, holding people accountable, and instituting safeguards to prevent the repetition of those errors. Bailey, who announced his resignation last week, marked Friday as his final day with the bureau. The FBI declined to provide further comment on the report.

“The Patel Report looks backward because accountability demands it,” the memo stated, asserting that acknowledging and correcting previous failures is essential for institutional excellence and restoring public trust. It also highlighted that although the bureau cannot alter past actions, it has the responsibility to recognize shortcomings and improve.

Whether the report contains specific recommendations or mandates concrete actions to rectify prior issues remains undisclosed. Some observers note that ongoing internal controversies under Patel’s leadership have contributed to diminishing public confidence in the FBI, an agency traditionally regarded as the nation’s leading federal law enforcement institution.