FBI Director Kash Patel Erupts at Democratic Lawmaker Over Capitol Riot

FBI Director Kash Patel got into a heated back-and-forth with Democratic Representative Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania while testifying before a House Appropriations Committee panel on Wednesday.

The Context

Patel has clashed with most Democratic lawmakers over his steadfast support for President Donald Trump and his public backing of a number of far-right conspiracy theories over the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.

The Senate narrowly confirmed Patel to lead the FBI by a vote of 51-49 in February, with two Republicans—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine—joining Democrats to oppose Patel’s confirmation.

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies during a House committee hearing on May 7 in Washington, D.C.

Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP

What To Know

Patel sparred with Dean while testifying before the House committee panel: “During your Senate confirmation hearings, you repeatedly denied having any involvement, as a private citizen, in the firing of FBI officials who engaged in the prosecution against January 6 insurrectionists, the violent rioters who beat and killed Capitol police officers and whom you referred to as political prisoners,” Dean said.

“Since then, multiple whistleblowers have come forward and we know that you likely committed perjury,” the Pennsylvania Democrat added. “At the same hearing, you claimed you were not familiar with Stew Peters, an antisemitic Holocaust denier, despite the fact that you appeared on Mr. Peters’ podcast eight separate times—eight times—and you claimed not to recall. Mr. Patel, my second question is, should we worry more about your memory or your veracity?”

Patel shot back: “We should worry more about your lack of candor. You’re accusing me of committing perjury. Tell the American people how I broke the law and committed a felony. Have the audacity to actually put the facts forward instead of lying for political banter so you can have a 20-second donation hit.”

“The answer is both,” Dean replied.

“The answer is you’re failing,” Patel shot back.

What People Are Saying

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, lauded Patel in a statement saying he would vote to confirm him: “Mr. Patel wants to make the FBI accountable once again — get back the reputation that the FBI has had historically for law enforcement.”

Collins said in her statement announcing she would vote “no” on Patel’s nomination: “While Mr. Patel has had 16 years of dedicated public service, his time over the past four years has been characterized by high profile and aggressive political activity. Mr. Patel has made numerous politically charged statements in his book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very institution he has been nominated to lead,” the Maine senator continued. “These statements, in conjunction with the questionnaire sent to thousands of FBI employees, cast doubt on Mr. Patel’s ability to advance the FBI’s law enforcement mission in a way that is free from the appearance of political motivation.”