FBI Director Kash Patel sharply criticized ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith for implying that President Trump was involved in the recent arrests of NBA players and coaches in an illegal sports betting ring.
“I’m the FBI director. I decide which arrests to conduct and which not to conduct,” Patel told Fox News host Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle Thursday.
“That may be the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history. And I live most of my time in Washington, DC,” Patel added, calling Smith’s remarks “ridiculous” and comparing them to statements from lawmakers like Adam Schiff. “We arrest people for crimes,” he emphasized.
The arrests came Thursday morning, targeting more than 30 NBA players, coaches, and organized crime figures in a sweeping crackdown on two separate illegal gambling operations.
Smith, speaking on ESPN’s First Take, suggested the arrests signaled further law enforcement actions under the Trump administration. “It’s not coincidental. It’s a statement, and it’s a warning that more is coming,” he said, adding, “This is just the tip of the iceberg… everybody better brace themselves, because he’s coming,” though he did not provide evidence for the claim.
The investigation ensnared several high-profile figures, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former player Damon Jones. Overall, 31 individuals were arrested, including members of the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese mafia families, along with players and coaches from the Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Toronto Raptors.
According to the FBI, the illegal gambling operation generated over $7 million in profits over the past two years.