Kash Patel clashes with Senate Democrats at FBI oversight hearing

WASHINGTON — Kash Patel doubled down on his approach to leading the FBI during a Senate oversight hearing Tuesday, at times clashing with Democrats as they sharply questioned him over whether career agency officials were fired out of political retribution.

In an hourslong oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Democrats repeatedly castigated his performance as FBI director, arguing he has injected politics into the agency at the expense of public safety.

Democrats argued that under his leadership, the agency purged experienced career officials as alleged in a lawsuit, reportedly initiated loyalty tests and unwisely turned FBI resources toward immigration enforcement.

Throughout the hearing, Patel defended his track record, at times taking a defiant and combative posture. The hearing came as anonymously sourced news stories raised questions about his leadership following a communication mistake after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Patel, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a former federal prosecutor who was a controversial pick for the role, set the tone even before he took questions from senators. “I’m honored to be the ninth director of the FBI. I’m not going anywhere. If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on,” Patel said.

Democratic lawmakers and Patel repeatedly sparred throughout the hearing, at times getting into pitched arguments while other moments plunged into shouting. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., focused on a lawsuit filed last week from Brian J. Driscoll, Jr., a former acting FBI director, and two other officials, who said the administration initiated a retribution campaign against them because of the perception they did not show enough political loyalty.

The lawsuit states that in a conversation with Driscoll, Patel communicated that his superiors had directed him to fire any person who was found to have worked on a criminal probe against Trump. Patel, according to the lawsuit, said he had to fire those people because his job depended on it.

Blumenthal noted that Patel assured senators at his confirmation hearing that all FBI employees would be protected against political retribution.

“I’m not going to mince words, you lied to us,” Blumenthal said. “In the short time that you’ve been FBI director, you’ve presided over a rash of retaliatory firings.”

Blumenthal asked Patel if anyone from the White House contacted him about personnel decisions. “I completely disagree with your entire premise that I have lied or am misleading the FBI,” Patel responded.

Blumenthal pressed forward again with the same question. Patel said the agency does communicate with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget during the budget process regarding how much personnel the agency needs.

The Connecticut Democrat said the “best information” indicates Patel has taken suggestions and directions from the White House in firing qualified agents. But Patel responded that any termination was his decision. “And as you stated, those are allegations,” Patel told the senator. “And that is an ongoing litigation. So they’ll have their day in court, so will we.”

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., accused Patel of not being truthful during his confirmation hearing when Patel, then a nominee, said he was not aware of any plans to punish FBI agents or personnel associated with Trump-related investigations.

Booker then lambasted Patel’s tenure at the agency, saying he was failing as a leader and that his actions had made the nation more vulnerable to foreign and domestic attack.

“But here’s the thing, Mr. Patel. I think you’re not going to be around long. I think this might be your last oversight hearing,” Booker said, adding that Trump has shown “he is not loyal to people like you.”

“He will cut you loose,” Booker told Patel.

Patel responded: “That rant of false information does not bring this country together. If you want to work on bringing this country — it’s my time not yours.”

Booker then said, “My god, my god.” Moments later, Patel told the senator, “Your time is over.”

Booker replied: “Sir, you don’t tell me my time is over. The people of New Jersey tell me what my time is.” And Patel said: “You can tell me my time’s over? I’m not going anywhere.”

If Republican senators have any doubts about Patel’s actions as FBI director, they didn’t highlight it on Tuesday. Instead, many GOP senators pointed to the FBI’s work arresting suspects and asked about issues in line with the agency’s law enforcement functions.

For example, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., asked if the FBI was investigating the Kirk assassination as part of a pattern of “anti-religious, anti-Christian violence.”

Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, praised the work of the FBI under the Trump administration while bringing up criticism he had with the tenure of former FBI Director Christopher Wray.

“Since your confirmation, you’ve been acquainted with the bureaucracy that you must reform and hold accountable. And that’s no simple task,” Grassley said in his opening remarks. “You’ve begun the important work of returning the FBI to its law enforcement mission.”

“It’s well understood that your predecessor left you an FBI infected with politics,” Grassley said.