Under fire in first oversight hearing, Patel stresses crime-fighting results and national security

FBI Director Kash Patel faced a combative Senate Judiciary Committee as Democrats pressed him on internal turmoil and alleged politicization, while Republicans praised a return to core law enforcement priorities. Patel highlighted fast-moving investigations and child protection initiatives and noted the swift arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, even as Democrats pointed to confusion created by an early social post about the case. Democratic senators focused on a wave of dismissals of agents and senior officials, including five firings last month that prompted a lawsuit alleging political interference from the White House. Sen. Richard Blumenthal accused Patel of breaking his pledge not to look backward. Patel rejected claims of dishonesty and said he could not discuss personnel specifics due to litigation, adding that any terminated employee failed to meet the FBI's standards and constitutional obligations.