FBI Director Kash Patel is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, where Democrats are expected to question him on his leadership, use of taxpayer funds for personal travel and claims that arrests were imminent in connection with the 2020 election.
Republicans are likely to focus on investigations into the federal probe of efforts to overturn that presidential election. Committee chair Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa has said the issue is a top priority for the panel.
Patel’s appearance comes days after Joe DiGenova, who had been leading an investigation into several of Trump’s political foes and sought to establish that the president was the victim of a criminal conspiracy, abruptly resigned last week. Patel is likely to face questions about the reasons for DiGenova’s departure and its implications.
This will be Patel’s first appearance before the Senate since May, when Democrats questioned him over a media report alleging that excessive drinking had affected his ability to lead the FBI. Patel defended his leadership and denied the report, saying he had helped reduce crime nationwide.
Since then, Patel has appeared alongside Trump to highlight what they described as the lowest levels of violent crime in decades, although the decline had begun before Trump’s second term.
Reuters previously reported that Patel has also forged an unprecedented partnership with China and Russia to combat transnational crime. Critics have said the programme is dangerous and could undermine US national security.
Patel has faced near-constant controversy since taking charge of the FBI.
He has drawn criticism over media reports about him scuba diving at a Pearl Harbor memorial and drinking beer while celebrating with the gold-medal-winning US men’s hockey team at the Milan Winter Olympics.
The scrutiny has at times come from Republicans as well. Grassley sought information in a May 5 letter about Patel’s use of a government plane, luxury cars and other taxpayer funds, according to the top Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary committees.
Patel could also face questions over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, including recently released texts showing Patel ordering a top aide to respond to anonymous social media accounts mocking that effort.
(With inputs from Reuters)
