By Kaia Hubbard,Kathryn Watson

Copyright cbsnews

In an opening statement that echoed the one he delivered before senators on Tuesday, Patel said the first federal investigation into Epstein that resulted in a nonprosecution agreement in 2008 was the “original sin” in the case.

“The original case had a very limited search warrant, had a very limited search window, had a very limited investigative window. I was not there when those search warrants and that investigation was launched. I would not have done it that way. They were limited to only three or four years of investigations,” Patel said, blaming the U.S. attorney in South Florida at the time, Alexander Acosta, for the plea deal that prohibited future investigations and “the collection of further material.”

“We are working with Congress to produce, more than any other administration has, material on Epstein, and I welcome the challenge to tell us that we are not being as transparent as the law allows,” Patel said.

Patel also praised the work of FBI agents across the country, saying every state is getting a “plus-up” of FBI agent staffing. Patel said the U.S. is on track to produce the lowest murder rate in modern history “by double digits.”

“Those are results not of mine,” Patel said. “Those are results of the men and women of the FBI. If you want to criticize me, bring it on. But do not attack the brave leaders in the field.”