EXCLUSIVE: Patel camp derides Durbin accusations as ‘politically motivated’ attempt to derail FBI confirmation
President Donald Trump’s FBI director nominee, Kash Patel, is facing backlash and accusations from the Senate Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat, Dick Durbin, just hours after his confirmation hearing. Durbin alleged that Patel played a significant role in the firings of bureau personnel, despite Patel swearing not to do so during his confirmation hearing.
In response to these allegations, a senior transition team official for Patel spoke to Fox News Digital, refuting Durbin’s claims. The official stated that Patel had left Washington after his confirmation hearing and had been waiting in Las Vegas for the confirmation process to unfold. They also denied any involvement by Patel in the firings of FBI personnel, as claimed by Durbin.
Durbin’s team cited whistleblower reports, describing them as “highly credible,” and sent a letter to the Justice Department’s inspector general, Michael Horowitz, requesting an investigation into Patel’s alleged actions. Durbin raised concerns that if the allegations were true, Patel could be held accountable for perjury.
During his confirmation hearing, Patel emphasized his commitment to protecting FBI agents from any attempts to politicize the bureau. However, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have been working to discredit Patel’s nomination, delaying his committee confirmation vote by a week in an effort to raise public awareness about his past actions.
Despite these efforts, lawmakers noted that the delay could only last for a week, and the final decision on Patel’s confirmation would be up to Republicans in the chamber. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Patel’s nomination will progress amidst the controversy surrounding his alleged involvement in the firings of FBI personnel.
Breanne Deppisch, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the Trump administration, continues to monitor and report on developments related to Patel’s nomination and the ongoing controversy surrounding his confirmation process. Stay tuned for updates on this breaking news story.
