Patel Grilled by Senators Over FBI Exodus
Patel Grilled by Senators Over FBI Exodus
The News
FBI Director Kash Patel is testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday in an oversight hearing on his leadership of the bureau.
It is his first appearance before Congress since he clashed with lawmakers in May, according to The National Desk.
Senators are expected to press him on the departure of numerous agents, his use of a Justice Department jet, allegations about drinking, staffing changes and investigations tied to President Donald Trump, per The National Desk and The Washington Post.
Patel, for his part, plans to tell senators the bureau delivered historic crime reductions on his watch.
Timeline
Patel clashes with lawmakers in his last appearance before Congress, The National Desk reports.
PBS NewsHour and other outlets preview Tuesday's Senate Judiciary oversight hearing, describing Patel's tenure at the FBI as troubled.
Patel takes the witness table before the committee. CNN runs live updates as the hearing gets underway.
Reactions
Patel is set to tout what Fox News describes as the "largest" year-to-year violent crime drop in US history, telling senators the FBI disrupted terrorist plots, captured top fugitives and was overhauled under his leadership.
Democrats on the panel are critical of his leadership and are set to face off with him over it, CTV News reports.
The Washington Post reports lawmakers are expected to grill Patel on his controversial tenure, with the exodus of agents at the center of the questioning.
What's Next
The hearing continues Tuesday, with senators from both parties getting question time on FBI personnel moves, Patel's travel and the bureau's handling of Trump-era investigations.
The Judiciary Committee's oversight role means any commitments Patel makes at the witness table — on staffing, on crime data, on pending probes — become the benchmark lawmakers hold him to at his next appearance.
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