Senator Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, said President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, may have perjured himself during his confirmation hearing, but his spokesperson called it “second-hand gossip to push a false narrative”.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Patel, a former federal public defender who served in several roles in President Donald Trump‘s first administration, is currently awaiting confirmation by the Senate to be Trump’s FBI director. If confirmed, he would lead one of the most critical federal law enforcement agencies. He is viewed as a staunch Trump loyalist who has been critical of the agency’s past probes into the president.
What to Know
Durbin on Tuesday released a letter to Justice Department (DOJ) Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz raising concerns about parts of Patel’s testimony. The letter was first reported by The New York Times.
The senator wrote that he has received “highly credible information from multiple sources” that Patel has been “personally directed the ongoing purge of career civil servants” at the FBI, despite the fact that he is still a private citizen who is yet to be confirmed.
Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
“I understand that Mr. Patel’s directives are being carried out through the concerted efforts of White House Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Stephen Miller, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, and several members of a newly-established FBI Director’s Advisory Team (DAT),” Durbin wrote. “This alleged misconduct is beyond the pale and must be investigated immediately.”
He raised concerns about a January 29 meeting involving acting FBI director Brian Driscoll and acting FBI deputy director Robert Kissane, in which “it was relayed that a group of Executive Assistant Directors (EAD) and other supervisors must resign or be fired.”
During the meeting, the DAT had a list of names of individuals who may be in the “crosshairs,” and that notes from the meeting allegedly read, “KP wants
movement at FBI, reciprocal actions for DOJ,” Durbin wrote. Bove allegedly said he received calls from Miller about Patel wanting the FBI to remove targeted employees faster, Durbin wrote.
Durbin wrote this could contradict an answer given during his confirmation hearing after Senator Cory Booker asked if he was aware of “any plans or discussions to punish in any way, including termination, FBI agents or personnel associated with Trump investigations.”
Patel responded, “I don’t know what’s going on right now over there, but I’m committed to you, Senator, and your colleagues that I will honor the internal review process of the FBI.”
“It is unacceptable for a nominee with no current role in government, much less at the FBI, to personally direct unjustified and potentially illegal adverse employment actions against senior career FBI leadership and other dedicated, nonpartisan law enforcement officers,” Durbin wrote.” If these allegations are true, Mr. Patel may have perjured himself before the Senate Judiciary Committee.”
Erica Knight, a Patel spokesperson, denied his allegations in a post to X.
“Once again, the media is relying on anonymous sources and second-hand gossip to push a false narrative. Kash Patel is a highly qualified national security expert who has been fully transparent with the American people throughout this process and has demonstrated the integrity and leadership needed for this role. The Senate should confirm him without delay,” she wrote.
What People Are Saying
Representative Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, on X (formerly Twitter): “These courageous whistleblowers must be allowed to submit affidavits to the Senate Judiciary Committee before his vote on Thursday. @Kash_Patel should have no problem with whistleblowers since he paid FBI whistleblowers who testified before Congress in 2023.”
Representative Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, in a January 28, 2025 Newsweek opinion article: “Kash Patel is the right man at the right time for this important job. Kash has dedicated his career to public service. He is smart, he is tough, and he gets results.”
What Happens Next
The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote this week on whether to advance Patel’s nomination.
