By Yuvraj Tyagi
Copyright timesnownews
FBI Director Kash Patel faced criticism on Wednesday after he appeared unfamiliar with the name of Dylann Roof, the white supremacist responsible for the 2015 Charleston church massacre. The exchange occurred during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, where Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) questioned Patel about his prior comments acknowledging violent extremism across the political spectrum. Kamlager-Dove referenced several examples of domestic terrorism, beginning with the Charleston shooting in which Roof killed nine Black parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. “So Dylann Roof, who followed white supremacist propaganda, murdered nine Black parishioners in Charleston in 2015. Do you deny this?” she asked. Patel’s Request for a Reminder Sparks Reactions Patel, appearing momentarily confused, responded: “I’m sorry. Dylan Ruth? Can you give me some more information?” Kamlager-Dove pressed further, remarking, “You’re head of the FBI, you probably know this. If you don’t know, that’s fine.” Patel explained that he needed clarification given the volume of information before him. “You can give me a reminder, I’ve got a lot in front of me,” he said. Kamlager-Dove pushed back, describing Roof’s crime as “national news” before turning to other mass shootings carried out by extremists, including Robert Bowers, who killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, and Patrick Crusius, who murdered 23 people in an El Paso Walmart in 2019. Lawmaker Stresses Accountability “These are not gotcha questions,” Kamlager-Dove said. “These incidents were national news. As director of the FBI, you have access to all of this information.” Patel insisted he was not denying the events but sought additional context to refresh his memory. The Charleston shooting remains one of the most infamous hate crimes in recent U.S. history, with Roof sentenced to death in 2017. Patel’s exchange with Kamlager-Dove has already prompted debate over preparedness and accountability in congressional oversight hearings. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World.
