By Rounak Bagchi

Copyright timesnownews

FBI Director Kash Patel clashed repeatedly with Senate Democrats on Tuesday in a tense Judiciary Committee hearing that underscored the mounting turmoil inside the bureau and the political pressures following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The hearing, Patel’s first oversight session since assuming the directorship earlier this year, was dominated by pointed questions about his leadership, his firing of senior FBI officials, and his handling of politically charged investigations. Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, accused Patel of overseeing a “generational destruction of the nation’s premier law enforcement agency,” sparking a heated exchange that eventually became a shouting match. Patel shot back that Booker was an “embarrassment,” according to news agency Associated Press. Booker warned that Patel’s tenure would be short-lived. “Trump will cut you loose,” he told the director. “This may be the last time I am speaking to you as FBI director.” Other Democrats pressed Patel on the bureau’s role in the investigation into Kirk’s killing, which has become a flashpoint for conservatives demanding action against what they describe as left-wing political violence. Senator Peter Welch, Democrat of Vermont, said Patel had sought publicity rather than collaboration. “He blew it, and he was about promoting himself, rather than cooperating with local law enforcement that I think did a really good job,” Welch said, according to CNN. Kirk, 31, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10 during a student event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Tyler James Robinson, 22, was arrested within 33 hours, Patel noted, calling it an example of the bureau’s swift response. But Patel faced criticism for an earlier social media post that incorrectly suggested a suspect had been taken into custody before Robinson’s arrest. The hearing came amid an internal upheaval at the FBI. Democrats pressed Patel about the dismissal of at least five senior officials, including former acting director Brian Driscoll, who last week joined a lawsuit alleging their firings were illegal and politically motivated. According to the complaint, Patel had acknowledged the dismissals “were likely illegal” but carried them out under White House orders. “These allegations are a searing indictment of your tenure as FBI director,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut. Patel rejected it, saying, “Anyone that’s been terminated failed to meet the needs of the FBI and uphold their constitutional duties.” Patel also bristled when Senator Dick Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, pressed him on claims advanced by his deputy, Dan Bongino, that the January 6 pipe bomb placements were an “inside job.” “I find it disgusting that everyone and anyone would jettison our 31 years of combined experience that is now at the helm of the FBI, delivering historic results and historic speeds for the American people,” Patel responded. Some lawmakers suggested Patel was pursuing retribution against perceived adversaries of President Donald Trump. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, said Patel had taken adverse actions against roughly 20 of the 60 people identified in what he described as an “enemies list” in Patel’s 2023 book Government Gangsters. The Justice Department confirmed in July that it was investigating former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan, both frequent Trump targets. “That is an entirely inaccurate presupposition,” Patel said. “I do not have an enemies list.” Republicans defended Patel, portraying him as restoring the FBI to its traditional mission. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the committee’s chairman, praised him for “returning the FBI to its law enforcement mission.” He added: “It’s well understood that your predecessor left you an FBI infected with politics.” Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.