Kash Patel Skewers Steven A. Smith for suggesting that Trump was behind the arrests in the NBA gambling scandal

FBI Director Kash Patel criticized ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith for suggesting that President Trump was behind the arrests NBA stars and coaches in an illegal sports betting scheme.

“I’m the director of the FBI. I decide which arrest to make and which arrest not to make,” Patel told Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham on “The Ingraham Angle” Thursday.

“This may be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard from anyone in modern history. And I live most of my time in Washington, D.C.,” he objected to Smith’s suggestion.

He added: “He’s there with Adam Schiff. We’re arresting people for crimes.”

Patel announced the arrests of more than 30 NBA stars and mafia family members in a stunning operation for two separate cases linked to illegal gambling on Thursday morning.

Smith warned viewers on “First Take” shortly after the arrests to expect more crackdowns under the Trump administration.

“Tell me when we saw that… We’ve seen accusations before. We’ve seen athletes get in trouble with the law before. You don’t see the FBI director holding a press conference. It’s not a coincidence. It’s not an accident. It’s a statement, and it’s a warning that more is coming,” Smith said on air Thursday.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Smith said, without providing any evidence. “It’s very troubling. We don’t know where this is going to go. But everyone better get ready, because it’s coming,” the provocative host said, referring to Trump.

He pointed out He promises to bring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to Bad Bunny’s scheduled Super Bowl halftime show He listed the WNBA as a possible next target for management.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey BillupsMiami Heat Guard Terry Rozierand former NBA player Damon Jones are among those charged in the historic bust.

Officials said 31 people — including members of the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese Mafia families, and coaches and players from the Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors — were arrested in the multimillion-dollar scheme.

The bizarre gambling business generated more than $7 million over two years, according to the FBI.