By Bernd Debusmann Jr
Copyright bbc
Patel’s appearance on Capitol Hill came as Democrats and other detractors have criticised the way he and the FBI have managed the probe into Kirk’s killing – in particular an inaccurate social media post that a suspect had been apprehended. The FBI later said two people had been questioned and released.
According to several news outlets, that criticism has led to growing exasperation from within the Trump administration.
Ahead of the hearing, Patel took the unusual step of twice appearing on Fox News, defending his handling of the case and detailing “shocking” evidence that he says the FBI has uncovered as a result of its aggressive pursuit of the suspect.
He also defended his initial social media post, noting that he could have “worded it a little better in the heat of the moment”.
“But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not,” he said.
In front of the committee, Patel argued the suspect in the Kirk assassination was taken into custody just hours after the FBI released new images and video.
“That is the FBI working with the public as a promise to being transparent and providing critical information,” he said.
Trump has so far stood by Patel, telling reporters at the White House that he has “confidence in everyone in the administration”.
Patel also sought tamp down on criticism of the administration’s handling of the Epstein case, telling the committee the agency has “no credible information” that the late financier and convicted sex offender trafficked minors to others.
The investigation has long been plagued by theories that Epstein had a “client list” of high-profile figures who participated in his crimes.
Patel was later pressed for more answers on the case by California Democrat Adam Schiff, and seemed to contradict himself when he answered that he “never said Jeffrey Epstein didn’t traffic anyone else”.
