WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The FBI said on Wednesday it cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish group that tracks antisemitism, after conservatives criticized the group for including slain activist Charlie Kirk’s organization in a glossary on extremism.
In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau “won’t partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs.”
The ADL said it took note of Patel’s announcement and “has deep respect” for the FBI.
Patel’s announcement followed criticism of the ADL by right-wing voices, including billionaire Elon Musk, over its inclusion of Kirk’s Turning Point USA in a “Glossary of Extremism and Hate.” Kirk was assassinated in September.
Musk has branded the US-based antisemitism watchdog an anti-Christian hate group, while Donald Trump Jr., the US president’s son, was also among the prominent figures who criticized the database, which served as a resource for researchers, journalists and others.
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After that criticism, the ADL removed the entire glossary from its website. The glossary had said Turning Point USA had a history of “bigoted statements,” a charge the group rejects.
James Comey wrote “love letters” to the ADL and embedded FBI agents with them – a group that ran disgraceful ops spying on Americans.
That era is OVER. This FBI won’t partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs. pic.twitter.com/R6IKpSTfuP
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 1, 2025
In its response, the ADL highlighted that Patel’s announcement came on the eve of Yom Kippur: “As we prepare to observe the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar, we have seen the statement from FBI Director Patel regarding the FBI’s relationship with ADL,” it said.
“ADL has deep respect for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement officers at all levels across the country who work tirelessly every single day to protect all Americans regardless of their ancestry, religion, ethnicity, faith, political affiliation or any other point of difference,” the statement said. “In light of an unprecedented surge of antisemitism, we remain more committed than ever to our core purpose to protect the Jewish people.”
ADL’s website says it “works closely with federal, state and local law enforcement” in fighting extremism and hate. It also notes the FBI had turned to it for data and research as far back as the 1940s.
US officials have taken part in ADL events over the years.
Former FBI director James Comey, against whom President Donald Trump’s Justice Department has filed criminal charges, noted at a 2014 ADL summit that the FBI worked with the group to host civil rights and hate crime training for state and local counterparts.
Aftermath of Kirk’s killing
The US has witnessed many instances of right-wing backlash against critics and commentators whose views on Kirk after his assassination have upset conservatives.
Last month, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” was briefly taken off the air, political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired from MSNBC, and columnist Karen Attiah was fired by the Washington Post.
Civil rights advocates criticized Kirk for rhetoric they called racist, anti-immigrant, transphobic and misogynistic, citing his remarks on Black, LGBTQ+, Muslim and immigrant communities.
Kirk’s supporters called him a defender of conservative values and champion of public debate who galvanized young voters for Trump.
This combo of file images shows Elon Musk, the owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, left, and the head of the ADL, Jonathan Greenblatt. (Alain Jocard/AFP, JP Yim/Getty Images via AFP)
ADL documents antisemitism and hate. Its critics say it equates antisemitism with criticism of Israeli policies, including Israel’s assault on Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories.
ADL’s website calls that conflation a misconception. Still, it adds that “certain forms of anti-Israel rhetoric and activism delegitimize Israel and its existence, and are antisemitic when they vilify and negate Zionism.”
A day earlier, the ADL said that it took down its Glossary of Extremism and Hate after right-wing US activists assailed the online database for including an entry about Turning Point USA, the conservative advocacy group led by slain influencer Charlie Kirk.
X owner Elon Musk, who has branded the US-based antisemitism watchdog an anti-Christian hate group, and Donald Trump Jr., the US president’s son, were among the prominent figures who criticized the database, which served as a resource for researchers, journalists and others.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this article.
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