FBI Director Kash Patel has publicly criticized tributes made to Assata Shakur following her recent death in Cuba, accusing mourners of dishonoring law enforcement and glorifying a convicted murderer. Shakur, born Joanne Chesimard, died in Havana last week after decades of political asylum granted by the Cuban government.
In a post on X, Patel condemned the memorials, writing, “Joanne Chesimard didn’t ‘fight for justice.’ She murdered New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in cold blood then fled to Cuba to escape accountability.” He added, “Mourning her is spitting on the badge and the blood of every cop who gave their life in service.”
Joanne Chesimard didn’t “fight for justice.” She murdered New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in cold blood, then fled to Cuba to escape accountability. The FBI never stopped calling her what she was: a terrorist.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 28, 2025
Mourning her is spitting on the badge and the blood of every… pic.twitter.com/letscTdaBG
Shakur was a former member of the Black Liberation Army and a figure tied to Black revolutionary movements. In 1973, she was convicted of the murder of Trooper Foerster during a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. After escaping from prison in 1979, she fled to Cuba, where she was granted asylum by Fidel Castro in 1984. The FBI later placed her on its Most Wanted Terrorists list and offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her capture.
Despite her criminal record, several progressive organizations paid tribute to Shakur. The Democratic Socialists of America posted, “Rest in Power, Assata Shakur,” describing her as a victim of state oppression and praising Cuba for offering her refuge. The Chicago Teachers Union also honored her legacy, calling her “a revolutionary fighter” and “a leader of freedom.”
These tributes sparked political backlash. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy condemned the praise, calling it “shameful and depraved,” and emphasized that Shakur was convicted of murdering a state trooper.
Patel, who was appointed FBI Director by President Donald Trump, previously served as a federal prosecutor and senior national security official. He has been a prominent figure in Trump-aligned political circles.
Shakur maintained in her 1987 autobiography that she was wrongfully targeted and framed for crimes she did not commit or acts she viewed as politically justified.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ