Kash Patel Senate grilling: From Epstein files, Trump investigation to FBI hiring rules — Key points | Today’s news
FBI Director Kash Patel faced intense questioning from both Republicans and Democrats during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday (Sept. 15), with lawmakers focusing on the Trump-related investigation, FBI hiring rules, crime rates and Patel’s use of government resources.
Here are the key takeaways from Patel’s meeting with Democrats:
Democrats accuse Patel of politicizing the FBI
Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee, launched a scathing attack on Patel’s leadership.
“Mr. Patel is the least qualified and most biased FBI director in the history of our country,” Durbin said.
Durbin accused Patel of using the FBI to pursue Trump’s political opponents and pursue the president’s grievances, including claims related to the 2020 election.
The Epstein files become a major flashpoint
Democrats questioned Patel about the FBI’s handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender.
They pressed Patel on why FBI agents used to flag references to Trump in Epstein’s files and why some of the records had not yet been released.
The questioning has put Patel under pressure over transparency surrounding the Epstein investigation and the handling of references to Trump in the files.
Republicans focus on crime reduction
Republican senators sought to highlight what they described as Patel’s record in fighting violent crime and drug trafficking. FBI statistics show that crime in the US is at its lowest level in decades, although the decline began before Trump’s second term.
Patel has also advocated for international cooperation, including efforts involving China and Russia to combat transnational crime, saying that cooperation helps the FBI pursue some of the world’s most dangerous criminals.
The FBI’s animal recruitment rule is drawing backlash
Patel faced bipartisan questions about changes to FBI hiring rules that removed prostitution and sodomy as automatic disqualifications.
Patel said the changes were intended to ensure that victims of human trafficking were not automatically barred from joining the FBI.
“We didn’t want to punish victims of bestiality, victims who were trafficked,” Patel said.
Republican Senator John Kennedy sharply disputed the rationale.
“Why didn’t you just say which planet you parachuted from?” Kennedy asked.
Patel said that was his first reaction, but later saw the policy as a way of supporting victims.
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Patel defends FBI against ‘weaponization’ claims.
Patel said he wants to ensure the FBI is not used for political purposes.
“I think the most important thing is not to have an armed FBI,” Patel said. “I’m going to try every day to make sure we don’t have anybody out there doing that.”
His comments came amid questions about the firing of FBI agents involved in investigations linked to Trump.
Patel asked about taxpayer funded roads
Patel also faced FBI scrutiny of his use of a government plane, luxury vehicles and other resources. Republican Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley previously sought information on the spending.
Patel said he paid personal travel expenses and claimed the luxury vehicles were cheaper than others previously purchased by the FBI.
Joe DiGenova’s resignation adds to the scrutiny
Patel’s appearance comes days after Joe DiGenova abruptly resigned from a Justice Department investigation into allegations that Trump was the victim of a criminal conspiracy. Patel was expected to face questions about the departure.
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