Social media critics slammed the outfit as "immature" and "unprofessional." Former agent Kyle Seraphin’s harsh online jab was widely shared, and commenters mocked the shoes as juvenile, compared them to clown shoes and questioned the optics for the nation’s top law enforcement office.
Some observers raised ethical concerns about using official mottos and trademarks on private gear. The backlash intensified amid an ongoing FBI search for missing Arizona grandmother Nancy Guthrie, with critics arguing Patel’s choice was poorly timed and even calling for his firing.