Patel and Schiff Get Into Shouting Match as Hearing Veers Off the Rails

FBI Director Kash Patel’s Senate hearing on Tuesday was dominated by several shouting matches with Senate Democrats, including tense back-and-forths with Sens. Adam Schiff and Cory Booker.

The tiff with Schiff began when the California Democrat asked Patel why convicted Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell was moved to a lower-security prison after meeting with the Justice Department in early August. In a follow-up question, Schiff asked Patel whether he thought the American public was “stupid” enough to believe that the Bureau of Prisons decided alone to move Maxwell, independent of political pressure.

“What I am doing is protecting this country … and combating the weaponization of intelligence by the likes of you,” Patel replied, interrupting Schiff. “We have countlessly proven you to be a liar in Russiagate, in Jan. 6. You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate.”

He also called Schiff a “political buffoon at best.”

During the ensuing cross talk, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, attempted to gravel-bang the discussion to an end as Patel shouted back at Schiff, “I am not afraid of you.”

Patel and Schiff have been at odds for years. They clashed in the wake of the 2016 election, when Schiff led the House investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election. At the time, Patel was a House Intelligence Committee staffer who took well-publicized steps to discredit the probe.

Years later, when Schiff participated in an investigation into the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Patel was a staunch advocate for the rioters.

The disagreement with Schiff was just one of many Patel had during his Tuesday testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Because of your failures of leadership, I don’t think you’re fit to lead the bureau. Here’s the thing, Mr. Patel, I think you’re not going to be around long. I think this might be your last full oversight hearing,” Booker said. “This may be the last time I have a hearing with you, because I don’t think you’re long for your job.”

Booker went on to criticize Patel for the widespread firings of agency staff. Since Patel has been director, the FBI has let go of multiple senior officials who were seemingly at odds with the Trump administration.

Tuesday’s hearing is Patel’s first time before Congress after the political assassination of Charlie Kirk last week. He was criticized in following days for his inconsistent reports on the alleged shooter being in custody.

When asked by Sen. Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat, about his premature claim that a shooter was in custody the night of the shooting, Patel said, “I don’t see it as a mistake.”

Patel is expected to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday as well.