FBI director Kash Patel Challenging with suspicious Democrats at a controversial Senate oversight hearing on Tuesday defended his record as he criticized him for politicizing the country’s prime minister’s federal law enforcement agency and retaliating against the president’s opponents Donald Trump.
“Mr. Patel, in just eight months, you attacked FBI“NJ Democrat Cory Booker said in one of several will exchanges between Patel and the Senator.
The Tuesday debut before the Senate Judiciary Committee represents Patel’s first oversight hearing for his young but turbulent term and provides him with a high-stakes platform for trying to prove he is the right person for a period of internal turbulence and growing nervous about political violence within the United States, a weekly threat as the killing of conservative sustaining activators last week. Charlie Kirk On a university campus in Utah.
Patel, backed by Republican lawmakers, expressed his support for him, trying to focus on what he said was a series of achievements in fighting violent crime, protecting children from abuse and undermining the flow of fentanyl. He boasted on Tuesday that the man suspected Kirk’s The Killing was arrested within 33 hours, but he was confused when he posted a “theme” on social media shortly after the killing. The person was later released after investigators determined he was not in contact.
“I’ll be more cautious about my words and actions and include the ‘theme instead of the ‘theme? Of course,” Patel said.
In their perspective, Democrats have repeatedly tried to channel the hearing back to the turmoil inside FBI And advised him to fire the experienced agents and supervisors, a disturbing look he made in January’s confirmation hearing commitments that he would not “backward” or seek revenge as a director.
Photo: FBI Director Kash Patel clashes with suspicious Democrats at controversial hearing
“I won’t say: You’re lying to us,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut.
Patel made the suggestion angrily, saying, although he could not discuss the details of the shooting caused by the lawsuit. “No one who has been terminated can satisfy FBI and uphold its constitutional obligations. ”
Five agents and top executives were known to be announced last month as what current and former officials said were a drop in morale.
One of them, Steve Jensen helped oversee an investigation into the riot that rioted in the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Another Brian Driscoll served as acting director early in the Trump administration and rejected the Justice Department’s name for the agency to be investigated on January 6. Third place, Chris Meyer was rumored on social media to participate in the survey to participate in the survey Trump’s Keep confidential documents from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Three fired agents filed a lawsuit last week that Patel knew the shooting might be “possibly illegal” but had to be carried out because he was ordered to do so from the White House. Patel On Tuesday, the order to open fire from the White House was denied.
“You’ve covered up the Agency’s Knowledge and Expertise Bureau,” Booker said, who believes Patel “has failed as a leader, and your failures have really had a serious impact on the safety and security of Americans and our families.
The allegation prompted Patel to give an angry response, FBI Its concerns about illegal immigration, street crime, drugs and human trafficking have been raised.
“in the case of FBI Under my seven months of leadership, this government and this country failed, why are we arrested only 23,000 violent felons this year? “Patel asked. Why did we find 1,500 child predators and arrest them?”
At another point, Patel had a will exchange with Senator Dick Doubin, the committee’s top Democrat. Durbin of Illinois challenged him an unproven theory proposed by Deputy Director Dan Bongino, which placed bombs on Washington Street ahead of the January 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol.
“I find that everyone and anyone will abandon our 31 years of combined experience, which is a disgusting thing FBIbring historical achievements and historical speed to the American people. ” Patel said.
Republicans eagerly rally Patel’s defense, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley FBI Perform law enforcement tasks. ”
“As we all know, your ex is left with you FBI Infected by politics. ” Grassley said.
The hearing begins in the background Kirk The murder will be on the same day as the alleged shooter Tyler Robinson, Tyler Robinson, will appear in court for the first time. Patel says FBI Authorities continue to investigate the suspect, who attributed to a “leftist ideology” where investigators “drained all potential clients associated with any broader allegations of violence.”
this FBI The director also challenged whether he was retaliating against perception trump card Enemies, including through the new Interrogation Bureau, have been involved in long-term settlements. FBI Investigation of Russia and Trump’s 2016 presidential election.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse estimates that Patel has taken some unfavorable action, with about 20 out of 60 people being selected for a 2023 book by Patel. For example, the Justice Department appears to confirm in an unusual statement in July that it is investigating before FBI Director James Comey and former CIA director John Brennan are key players in the Russian legend.
“It’s a totally inaccurate preset,” Patel said. “I don’t have a list of enemies.”
