We called Kash Patel.

In this video, Nick Shirley documents an attempt to contact Kash Patel by voicemail, during which James O’Keefe—founder of Project Veritas—leaves a message at a public event before thousands of students at what Shirley identifies as MFEST.

According to Nick Shirley’s video, O’Keefe uses the voicemail to make several allegations regarding FBI conduct. O’Keefe alleges that confidential FBI informants were positioned within Project Veritas and claims they were working to sabotage his operation. He further alleges that an FBI affidavit related to this matter was not redacted as would typically be standard practice for protecting sources.

In the message, O’Keefe states that according to sources within Washington, D.C., the FBI’s failure to redact the affidavit was intentional—that the bureau allegedly “wants to protect its sources and methods” by leaving identifying information visible. O’Keefe characterizes this as creating a “constitutional crisis,” arguing that sending FBI informants to infiltrate a newsroom raises serious questions about press freedom and government overreach.

O’Keefe’s core argument, as presented in the voicemail, centers on competing legal principles. He contends that his right to identify and confront sources allegedly working against him supersedes what he describes as the FBI’s “marginal privacy concern” for protecting informants’ identities. He frames the issue as one of public interest, invoking the public’s right to know.

The voicemail concludes with O’Keefe’s direct demand: that Kash Patel immediately unredact the affidavit in question. O’Keefe presents this as necessary for transparency and public accountability.

Nick Shirley’s documentation of this voicemail captures a moment of public pressure being applied to a government official regarding alleged FBI practices. The video does not present independent verification of O’Keefe’s claims about informant placement or the contents of the unreacted affidavit. Rather, it records O’Keefe making these allegations in a public setting and directing them at Patel through voicemail.

The underlying tension Shirley documents reflects broader debates about government transparency, the protection of confidential sources, press freedom, and the proper use of informants in law enforcement operations. O’Keefe’s invocation of constitutional concerns suggests he views the matter as involving fundamental rights, while his emphasis on public accountability frames government redaction practices as potentially problematic when applied to cases involving alleged government misconduct.

In Nick Shirley’s Own Words

“I got Cash’s cell phone number right here, and I’m going to call him and ask him why this thing is not redacted.”

“There were confidential FBI informants at Project Veritas, and they were trying to sabotage my operation.”

“I demand that you unredact this affidavit immediately for the public’s right to know.”