A prominent Democratic senator has requested an investigation by the Justice Department’s inspector general, following claims that Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, has been actively involved in the dismissal of agents from the bureau. This request was initiated by Senator Dick Durbin, who holds a leading position on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In a letter he sent out on Tuesday, Durbin indicated that Patel may have provided misleading information during his recent confirmation hearing, specifically regarding a lack of awareness of any plans within the FBI to discipline or terminate agents.
The timing of Patel’s confirmation hearing was noteworthy, occurring just hours before reports surfaced that senior FBI executives were instructed to either resign or face termination. Furthermore, the day after the hearing revealed that the Justice Department had requested a list of thousands of agents involved in investigations related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, a move that raised concerns among bureau personnel about potential widespread firings being on the horizon.
Durbin’s letter criticized the notion of someone without an official role in the government, particularly at the FBI, taking an active part in questionable and possibly unlawful actions against experienced, nonpartisan law enforcement figures. He expressed that if these allegations against Patel hold any truth, it could indicate that Patel committed perjury during his testimony to the committee.
In his communication to Inspector General Michael Horowitz, Durbin referenced what he termed “highly credible information from multiple sources” suggesting Patel’s direct involvement in the situation. This included notes from a meeting held on January 29, where FBI and Justice Department leaders allegedly discussed Patel’s desire for proactive measures at the FBI, indicating “reciprocal actions for DOJ.”
Additionally, Durbin reported that he obtained information from undisclosed sources indicating that Patel, even prior to his confirmation, is receiving updates about FBI operations through a member of a newly established advisory team within the bureau. It was alleged that Patel is then relaying this information to Stephen Miller, a senior figure within the White House.
The senator also mentioned that an official from the Justice Department has allegedly communicated that Miller was pressuring the department to expedite the removal of specific employees, paralleling earlier swift removals of prosecutors.
In response, Erica Knight, a spokesperson for Patel, dismissed the accusations made in Durbin’s letter as mere “second-hand gossip” aimed at fostering a misleading narrative. She defended Patel as a qualified expert in national security, asserting that he has maintained transparency throughout his nomination process and possesses the necessary integrity and leadership for the role of FBI director. Knight implored the Senate to confirm him swiftly, underscoring that the claims against him are unfounded.
