In a last-ditch effort to derail President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats are demanding a second hearing to scrutinize Kash Patel’s nomination—despite the fact that Patel has already endured nearly six hours of questioning and provided extensive documentation of his record.
Democrats claim that Patel, a former intelligence and defense official, provided misleading testimony and must answer additional questions.
“In order to discharge our constitutional duty, we must have a full and accurate understanding of Mr. Patel’s record,” Democrats wrote. “The Committee must fulfill its responsibility to the American people and the 38,000 employees of the FBI nationwide to ensure that a Director confirmed by the Senate possesses the requisite characteristics of truthfulness, trustworthiness, and regard for the protection of classified information befitting of the FBI.”
“Although there is no legal prohibition barring Mr. Patel from discussing the testimony he provided to the grand jury, Mr. Patel was wholly unwilling to answer questions posed by members of the Committee relating to his grand jury testimony and the circumstances that led him to assert his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination,” they continued.
The lawmakers stated they intend to question Patel about the dismissals of several FBI leaders by acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove, inquiring whether Patel had any involvement. Additionally, they seek clarity from Patel regarding “apparent falsehoods” in his previous testimony to the committee.
“Kash Patel’s nomination must be delayed until we can fully evaluate his misleading testimony,” Senate Judiciary Democrats wrote on X.
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said Wednesday, “He [Patel] has an attitude, and to think this man will be in charge of 38,000 FBI agents and personnel, 400 field offices across the nation and around the world. It’s going to have the authority to investigate those who he chooses. It’s frightening. His message in politics is get even.”
WATCH:
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), however, was having none of it. In a letter to his Democrat colleagues, Grassley firmly rejected the request, calling it nothing more than a political ploy to stall Trump’s law-and-order agenda.
“Long before his hearing, Committee Democrats made clear that they stridently opposed Mr. Patel’s nomination,” Grassley wrote. “The American people saw this unfounded opposition play out in his hearing, which devolved into unfair mischaracterizations of his record and attacks on his integrity.”
The move by Democrats follows a pattern of obstruction aimed at Trump’s appointments. Grassley pointed out that Attorney General Pam Bondi faced similar obstruction tactics. Meanwhile, Democrats remain silent on glaring examples of political bias within law enforcement, including the FBI’s kid-glove treatment of Hillary Clinton and the Biden family’s mishandling of classified records.
Patel has been vocal about exposing the weaponization of federal agencies against Trump and his allies.
“There cannot be one set of rules for Republicans and another set of rules for Democrats,” Grassley said, reminding Democrats that their own majority refused GOP requests for additional hearings in 2022.
Despite the Democratic obstruction, Patel’s confirmation vote is expected to proceed.
