WASHINGTON — Lawmakers pressed FBI Director Kash Patel during a contentious oversight hearing on Tuesday about his leadership of a bureau that has seen massive changes since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Patel faced scrutiny from Democrats about changes to the FBI’s hiring process amid firings and departures from the bureau since Trump retook office in January 2025. He also faced questions about his use of government aircraft.
As he lashed out at Democrats in the room, an FBI X account launched attacks on several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Following several heated exchanges with Senate Democrats, Patel told Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, that he “would appreciate it if you concluded this hearing.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, the Illinois Democrat who is not seeking re-election this year, noted this will likely be his last FBI oversight hearing until retirement and said he was “disappointed” the Senate Judiciary Committee “has stood by” since Trump retook office in January 2025. “I look forward to a day, hopefully in the very near future, when this committee will fulfill its duty to hold Director Patel accountable for his leadership,” Durbin said.
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., compared Patel to a “thug” and said he was using the FBI “to go after reporters” and stonewalling members of Congress who had questions about his oversight of the FBI.
Democrats also questioned Patel over reports of an investigation into leaks that resulted in a story in The Atlantic focusing on concerns about his personal behavior. In April, Patel filed a $250 million lawsuit against the magazine over the story that made allegations about his drinking, with Patel’s team saying the FBI director “does not drink to excess.”
Republican Senate Judiciary members largely praised the FBI director. They discussed with Patel how the FBI was handling what they claimed was “weaponization” of law enforcement during the prior administrations. Republicans have complained former special counsel Jack Smith obtained records of legislators’ phone calls and accused him of spying, though Smith had obtained records of legislators’ communications with members of the executive branch because they turned up during the investigation into Jan. 6 and Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Patel’s FBI has overseen the firing of numerous FBI employees who were involved in prior investigations into Trump, including individuals involved in the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago that has been a particular focus for Trump.
Joe diGenova, the 81-year-old Trump loyalist who had been heading a “grand conspiracy” probe targeting former law enforcement officials involved in Trump investigations, told NBC News that Patel had been “absolutely superb in supporting our investigation.” DiGenova resigned last week after a conflict with Justice Department leadership about the direction of the investigation.
If Democrats take control of the House or the Senate, Patel’s FBI is expected to face increased scrutiny and investigations.
