Durbin Statement On The Confirmation Of Kash Patel, President Trump's Pick For FBI Director
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today voted against President Donald Trump’s pick to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel. The Senate voted to confirm his nomination by a vote of 51-49.
“After meeting with Mr. Patel, reviewing his record, and questioning him at his hearing, I am convinced that he has neither the experience, the judgment, nor the temperament to lead the FBI. My Senate Republican colleagues are willfully ignoring myriad red flags about Mr. Patel, especially his recurring instinct to threaten retribution against his and President Trump’s perceived enemies—they will soon come to regret this vote.
“Mr. Patel has been open about his plans to dismantle the FBI. His alleged directives as a private citizen have already thrown the Bureau into chaos. Mr. Patel will be a political and national security disaster. With his confirmation, I fear for the future of the FBI.”
Before his nomination, Mr. Patel peddled conspiracy theories that benefit President Trump, claiming that January 6 was “never an insurrection” and that the FBI “was planning January 6 for a year.” Mr. Patel has even gone as far as producing and selling recordings of a song performed by January 6 rioters who violently assaulted police officers. He called them “political prisoners.”
Multiple whistleblowers have disclosed to Durbin’s staff highly credible information indicating that Kash Patel has been personally directing the ongoing purge of senior law enforcement officials at the FBI. Durbin sent a letter to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz requesting an investigation into these allegations.
To view Durbin’s questions to Mr. Patel in his confirmation hearing click here and here.
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