WASHINGTON (TNND) — Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, faced intense scrutiny from Senate Democrats during his confirmation hearing Thursday, as they questioned his past statements advocating for political retribution.
Patel, who has a background in intelligence and defense from Trump’s first term, has been vocal against government agencies, often referring to them as the “Deep State.” He authored a book titled “Government Gangsters,” which includes what some have called an “enemies list.” In 2023, he told Steve Bannon “We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.”
“Is Bill Barr on your list, it’s been referred to as an enemies list, you called them the Deep State,” asked Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Patel refuted the characterization of the list in the book.
Well it’s not whatever we want to call it, with all due respect, it’s not an enemies list that’s a total mischaracterization,” he said.
In a show of support, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., mocked the Democrats’ focus on Patel’s past comments by creating a bingo card he was filling out each time the nominee was asked about things like the list.
VOTE | Do you think the FBI has been used as a political weapon?
Some may view this as an unserious caricature and not appropriate for this committee. Sadly, I consider it a serious caricature of what I expect to be witnessed today,” Sen. Tillis said.
Patel defended his appearances on fringe podcasts, claiming he aimed to debunk their views. He also repeatedly emphasized his commitment to reforming the FBI.
“The only thing that will matter if I’m confirmed as director of the FBI is a deweaponized, depoliticized system of law enforcement, completely devoted to rigorous enforcement of the constitution,” Patel told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., tried to pin down where Patel stood on potentially going after any perceived enemies if he was asked by the President to do so.
“If President Trump were to order you to open an investigation into any of these individuals, lets say Vice President Harris, would you?” asked Sen. Coons.
Patel told multiple people on the committee that he wouldn’t be looking backward, if confirmed.
“Senator, this speaks to my ability to leave political bias and allow independent behavior to be my only guiding light,” Patel said in response to Coons’ question.
Patel also distanced himself from President Trump on the issue of January 6th pardons, expressing disagreement with commuting sentences for those who committed violence against law enforcement.
